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PUBLISHED     BY    ORDER    OF     CONGRESS. 


RICHMOND,  YA.: 

r.  N  i  U  I  R  E  Jl    C  O'O  K-     AND    JOS    P  K  E  S  S 

1862. 


31 


EYACUATION 


OF 


PENSACOLA  NAVY  YARD,  FOUTS,  &c, 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  S.  M.  JONEs/ COMMANDING. 


MoBiLF.,  January  24tli,  18G3. 

Sir:  In  accordance  witli  your  instructions,  I  have  the  honor  re- 
spectfully to  tender  the  following  report  of  my  evacuation  of  the  forts, 
navy  yard  and  position  at  and  near  Fensacola,  Fla. 

On  being  placed  in  command  of  that  place  by  Brigadier  General 
Samuel  Jones,  on  the  9th  of  March  last,  his  instructions  were  to  move 
as  fast  as  my  transportation  Avould  allow,  the  machinery  and  other 
valuable  property  from  the  navy  yard. 

This  was  kept  up  steadily  until  the  night  of  the  evacuation.  On 
receiving  information  that  the  enemy's  gun-boats  had  succeeded  in 
passing  the  forts  below  New  Orleans,  Avith  their  powerful  batteries  and 
splendid  equipments,  I  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  with  my  limited 
means  of  defence,  reduced  as  I  had  been,  by  the  withdrawal  of  nearly 
all  my  heavy  guns  and  ammunition,  that  I  could  not  hold  them  in 
check  or  make  even  a  respectable  show  of  resistance.  I,  therefore, 
determined  upon  my  own  judgment,  to  commence  immediately  the 
removal  of  the  balance  of  my  heavy  guns  and  their  ammunition,  and 
dispatched  to  you  for  your  approval,  which  was  answered  by  one,  ad- 
vising me  to  continue  doing  so.  On  receipt  of  General  Lee's  written 
instructions  on  the  subject,  I  pushed  on  the  work  with  renewed  vigor, 
and  night  and  day  kept  up  the  removal  of  guns  and  valuable  property. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  instant),  I  received  a  dispatch  from  ycur 
Adjutant*  Genera],  stating  that  there  were  a  number  of  mortar  and 
gun-boats  off  Fort  Morgan,  and  that  the  fort  had  fired  ten  shots  at 
them.  Conceiving  that  the  contingency,  named  in  General  Lee's  in- 
structions, had  arrived,  viz  :  to  bring  all  my  available  force  to  this 
point  in  the  event  of  an  attack,  I  concluded  to  promptly  leave  my 
position.  I,  therefore,  sent  to  Montgomery  a  regiment  of  unarmed 
troops.  On  the  next  day  I  ordered  the  8th  Missis3i[)pi  Regiment,  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Yates,  commanding,  to  proceed  at  once  to  this   place 


and  report  to  you,  and  on  the  9tli,  I  prepared  my  plans  for  generally 
evacuatina. 

On  the  night  of  the  8th,  three  companies  of  cavalry  arrived  from 
Montgomery.  With  those  and  two  companies  I  already  had,  I  determined 
to  destroy  the  public  property,  etc.,  which  I  had  not  been  able  to  re- 
move, and  which  might  prove  of  benefit  to  the  enemy.  As  the  few 
troops  were  so  disposed  that  any  reduction  in  the  day  time  would 
attract  the  notice  of  the  enemy,  I  merely  withdrew  the  camp  and 
^^arrison  equipage,  and  sick,  in  accordance  with  an  order  from  General 
L^e  to  *'  keap  the  army  mobilized.".  On  the  morning  of  the  9th, 
all  the  work  of  removing  sick  and  baggage  having  been  completed,  I 
published  orders  that  my  forces  should  present  themselves  to  the  best 
advantage  to  the  enemy,  and  as  soon  as  it  Avas  dark  they  Were  quietly 
marched  out  from  their  camps  and  started  on  the  road  to  Oakfield. 
Sentinels  were  posted  as  usual  on  the  beach,  and  they  were  withdrawn 
one  hour  after  the  other  troops  had  left.  All  these  instructions  were 
obeyed  to  the  letter  and  much  to  the  credit  of  the  comparatively  raw 
troops  under  my  command.  When  my  infantry  were  well  on  the  road 
and  out  of  range  of  the  enemy'^  guns,  the  cavalry  were  assigned  their 
places  to  commence  the  necessary  destruction,  at  a  signal  previously 
agreed  upon,  to  be  given  from  the  cupola  of  the  hospital,  and  one  an- 
swering at  the  navy  yard,  Barrancas  and  Fort  McRae.  Precisely  at 
11  1-2  o'clock,  when  every  thing  was  perfectly  quiet,  both  on  the 
enemy's  side  and  ours,  the  most  painful  duty  it  ever  fell  to  my  lot  to 
perform,  was  accomplished,  namely:  the  signalising  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  beautiful  place,  which  I  had  labored  so  hard  night  and  day 
for  over  two  months  to  defend,  and  which  I  had  fondly  hoped  could  be 
held  from  the  polluting  grasp  of  our  insatiate  en-emies. 

The  two  blue  lights  set  off  by  Colonel  Tattnall  and  myself  at  the  hos- 
pital, were  promptly  answered  by  similar  signals  from  the  other  points 
designated  and  scarcely  had  the  signals  disappeared  ere  the  public  build- 
ings, caujp  tents  and  every  other  combustible  thing  from  the  navy  yard 
to  Fort  McRac,  was  enveloped  in  a  sheet  of  flames,  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  flames  of  the  public  property  could  be  distinctly  seen  at  Pensacola. 
The  custom  house  and  commissary  store  houses,  were  not  destroyed 
for  fear  of  endangering  private  property,  a  thing  I  scrupulously  avoid- 
ed. As  soon  as  the  enemy  could  possibly  jnan  their  guns  and  load 
them,  tiiey  opened  upon  us  with  the  greatest  fury,  and  seemed  to  in- 
crease his  charges  as  his  anger  increased.  But  in  spite  of  the  burst- 
ing shell  which  were  thrown  with  great  rapidity,  and  in  every 
direction,  the  cavalry  proceeded  with  the  greatest  coolness  to  make 
the  work  of  destruction  thorough  and  complxjte,  and  see  that  all  orders 
■were  implicitly  obeyed.  Their  orders  were  to  destroy  all*the  camp 
tents,  Forts  McRae  and  Barrancas,  as  far  as  possible;  the  hospital,  the 
houses  in  the  navy  yard,  the. steamer  Fulton,  the  coal  left  in  the 
yard;  all  the  machinery  for  drawing  out  ships,  the  trays,  shears,  in 
fact  cveryth  ng  which  could  be  made  useful  to  the  enemy.  The  large 
piles  of  coal  were  filled  with  wood  and  other  combustibles,  and  loaded 
shell  put  all  through  it,  so  that  when  once  on  fire  the  enemy  would 
not  dare  to  attempt  to  extinguish  it.     Loaded   shell  were  also  placed 


in  tbe  houses  for  the  same  purpose,  and  the  few  small  sraootli  bore  guns, 
I  was  compelled  to  leave,  were  double  shotted,  wedged  and  spiked,  and 
carriages  chassie  burned.  The  shears  in  the  navy  yard  were  cut  half 
in  two,  and  the  spars  and  masts  of  the  Fulton  were  cut  to  pieces.  By 
the  most  unremitting  labor,  I  succeeded  with  my  little  force  and  limit- 
ed transportation  in  saving  all  the  heavy  guns,  and  nenrly  all  the 
small  size  guns.  I  took  away  all  the  flanking  bowitzers  from  Bar- 
rancas and  the  redoubt.  In  removing  tbe  large  columbiads  from  the 
batteries  which  were  in  full  view  of  the  enemy's,  I  was  compelled  to 
resort  to  General  Johnston's  plan  of  replacing  them  with  wooden  imi- 
tations as  tliey  Avere  removed.  All  the  powder  and  most  of  the  large 
shot  and  shell  were  removed  ;  the  small  size  shot  were  buried.  I  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  away  all  the  most  valuable  machinery  besides  large 
quantities  of  copper,  lead,  brass  and  iron.  Even  the  gutters,  light- 
ning roads,  window,  weights,  bells,  pipes,  and  everything  made  of 
these  valuable  metals  were  removed,  also  cordage,  blocks,  caldes, 
chain-cables,  and  a  large  number  of  very  valuable  articles  of  this 
character,  which  I  cannot  here  enumerate.  All  the  quartermaster  and 
commissary  stores,  except  such  as  were  not  worth  the  transportation, 
were  sent  away.  As  soon  as  this  Avas  completed,  I  set  hands  to  Avork 
taking  up  the  railroad  iron  at  Pcnsacola,  and  others  to  reeling  up  the 
telegraph  Avires  under  the  protection  of  a  strong  guard  of  cavalry,  in- 
fuitry  and  one  piece  of  light  artillery. 

Having  received  orders  not  to  destroy  any  private  property,  I  only 
destroyed  at  Pensacola,  a  large  oil  factory,  containing  a  considerable 
quantity  of  rosin,  the  Quartermaster's  store  houses,  and  some  small 
boats,  and  three  small  steamers,  used  as  guard  boats  and  transports. 
1  he  steamers  Mary  and  Helen  were  the  only  private  property  of  their 
kind  burned.  The  steamboat  "  Turel,"  Avhich  Ave  had  been  using  as 
a  transport,  Avas  sent  up  the  Escambia  river,  she  being  of  very  light 
draft,  Avell  loaded  Avith  stores,  machinery,  etc.,  Avith  orders  to  cut 
down  trees,  and  place  every  obstruction  possible,  in  the  river,  behind 
her.  She  has  arrived  safely  at  a  point  I  deem  beyond  the  enemy's 
reach,  and  she  has  been  unloaded  of  her  freight.  The  casemates  and 
galleys  of  Fort  McRac,  were  filled  Avith  old  lumber,  and  many  loaded 
Avith  shell  and  fired.  The  galleries  and  implement  rooms,  at  Barrancas, 
Avere  similarly  dealt  Avith,  and  the  destruction  at  both  places  Avas  as 
complete  as  it  could  be  Aviihout  the  use  of  gun  powder;  this  1  did  not 
deem  it  necessary  or  proper  to  use  for  this  purpose.  The  enemy's  furious 
cannonade  only  served  to  make  the  havoc  more  complete.  There  Avas 
no  damage  done  by  it  to  man  or  horse.  When  it  is  remembered  that 
all  this  Avork  has  been  done  by  a  mere  handful  of  raAV  troops,  with  but 
few  arms,  and  many  of  them  without  any  arms  at  all,  and  this,  too,  in 
the  very  face  of  a  formidable  force,  I  deem  it  but  simple  justice  to 
my  men  to  say,  that  the  conduct  of  each  and  all  of  them  Avas  Avorthy 
of  the  highest  praise.  It  not  unfrequontly  happened  that  after  stand- 
ing guard -all  night,  they  cheerfully  labored  all  the  next  day  and  night. 
1  have  not  room  to  make  distinctions  Avhere  -Jill  did  so  Avell,  but  I  feci 
con.straincd  to  make  particular  mention  of  Capt.  J.  II.  Nelson,  of  the 
27th  MisssUsippi  regiment,  Avho  commanded  at  Fort  McRae,  the  most 


'exposed  and  dan^rerous  point ;  Maj.  Kilpalrick,  who  commanded  at  the 
Navy  Yard,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Conolj,  who  commanded  at  Pensa- 
cola.  These  t^entlcmcn  deserve  the  greatest  credit  for  their  zeal  and 
watchfulness,  in  tiie  mana<:ement  of  their  respective  stations.  I  feel 
that  I  am  also  authorized  in  saying  of  the  27th,  under  Capt.  Hays, 
that  during  the  frequent  and  terrible  alarms,  so  unavoidable  with  new 
troops,  it  was  always  cool  and  ready  for  serious  work.  The  unwearied 
exertions,  both  night  and  day,  of  my  personal  staff  officers,  have  re- 
ceived mv  person.il  thanks,  and  I  feel  called  upon,  to  remark  that  they 
deserve  great  credit,  as  they  were  so  zealous  and  unremitting  in  their 
exertions  to  assist  me  in  carrying  out  my  orders  and  of  serving 
the  cohntry,  that  I  frequently  had  to  insist  on  their  taking  rest  for 
fear  tluit  they  would  completely  wear  themselves  down.  On  the  com- 
pletion of  my  work,  I  proceeded  to  rejoin  my  army  at  Oakfield,  six 
miles  north  "of  rcnsacola  on  the  railroad,  leaving  five  companies  of 
cavalry  in  command  of  Capt.  J.  T.  Myers,  an  efficient  and  daring  of- 
ficer, to  watch  the  enemy's  movements. 

The  next  morning  I  proceeded,  with  the  27th  Mississippi  regiment, 
to  Mobile,  leaving  Lieut.  Col.  Conoly  with  the  29th  Alabama  regi- 
ment; and  Lieut.  Col.  Tullen,  with  five  companies  of  Florida  A^olun- 
teers,  two  of  which-  companies  were  armed,  to  guard  the  rail- 
road, whilst  the  iron  was  being  removed.  I  regret  to  acknow- 
ledge the  receipt  of  a  telegraphic  dispatch  from  the  Hon.  Secretary  of 
War,  dated  subsequent  to  my  evacuation,  directing  me  not  to  burn 
the  houses  in  the  navy  yard.  I  received  one  from  him  the  day  before 
the  evacuation,  directing  me  to  spare  all  private  dwellings  not  useful 
to  the  enemy  for  war  purposes,  which  was  done.  The  first  named  dis- 
patch reached  me  after  my  arrival  in  the  city. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THO-S  M.  JONES, 

Act'g  Brig.  Gen.  C.  S.  A. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  John  H.  Forney, 

Commanding  Dep't  Ala.  and  W.  Fla. 


-    IIkadquarters  Depar't  Ala.,  and  W.  Fla.,  ) 
May  23d,  1862.  S 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit,  with  my   approval,  the  accompanying 
report  of  Brig.  Gen.  T.  M.  Jones,  of  the  evacuation  of  Pensacola. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  ob'd't  serv't, 

JNO.  H.  FORNEY, 

Brig.  Gen.  Com'd'g. 

To  Gen.  S.  Cooper,  Adj't  .and  Insp't'r  General,  Richmond. 


B()Mr>ARDMENT 


OF 


FORT  HE:^rRY. 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  TILGIIMAN,  COMMANDING. 


Richmond,  Va.,  Aug.  9t}u  136i. 

J,  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  C.  S.  A.: 

General: — Enclosed,  you  will  please  find  acopy  of  my  official  re- 
port, of  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Henry,  on  February  Gtli,  1862,  by 
the  Federal  fleet,  together  with  accompanying  papers. 

The  original  of  this  report  was  forwarded  from  Alton,  Illinois,  but 
not  having  reached  your  office,  I  have  prepared  a  copy  of  the  same 
at  the  earliest  moment  practicable,  since  my  release  from  Fort  "War- 
ren, Massachusetts. 

I  remain,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

LLOYD' TILGIIMAN, 
Brigadier  General,  C  S  A,.  Com7nandvig. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  TILGIIMAN,  ON  THE 
BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT  HENRY. 


.01,. 


February,  12iii,  1862. 

W.  W.   Mackaix, 

A.  A.   General,  C.   S.  Army,  Boxoling  Green : 

Sir: — Mv  commumcaticn  of  the  7th  inst .,  sent  from  Fort  Henry, 
having  announced  the  fact  of  the  surrender  of  that  Fort,  to  Com- 
modore Footc,  of  the  Federal  Navy,  on  the  6th  inst.,  I  have  now 
the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  details  of  the  action, 
together  with  the  accompany ing  papers,  marked  (A)  (B),  containing 
list  of  officers  and  men  surrendered,  together  with  casualties,  &c. 

On  Monday,  February '''3d,  (instant),  in  company  with  Major 
Gihner,  of  the  Engineers,  I  completed  the  inspection  of  the  main 
work,  as  Avell  as  outworks  at  Fort  Heiman,  South  of  Tennessee 
river,  as  far  as  I  had  been  able  to  perfect  them,  and  also,  the  main 
work,  entrenched  camp,  and  exterior  line  of  rifle  pits  at  Fort  Henry. 
At  11)  o'clock,  A.  M.  on  that  morning,  the  pickets  on  both  sides  of 
Tennessee  river,  extended  well  in  our  front,  having  reported  no  ap- 
pearance of  the  enemy^  I  left  in  company  with  Major  Gilmer,  for 
Fort  Donelson,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting,  with  him,  the  defences 
of  that  place. 

Tuesilay,  the  4th  inst,.  was  spent  in  mal  ing  a  thorough  examina- 
tion of  all  the  defences  at  Fort  Donelson.  At  noon,  heard  heavy  firing 
at  Fort  Henry,  for*  half-an-hour.  At  four  o'clock,  P;  M,,  a  courier" 
reached  me  from  Col.  Heiman,  at  Fort  Henry,  informing  me  that  the 
enemy  were  landing  in  strong  force  at  Bailey's  Ferry,  three  miles 
below,  and  on  the  East  bank  of  the  river. 

Dehiying  no  longer  than  was  necessary,  to  give  all  proper  orders 
for  the  arrangement  of  matters  at  Fort  Donelson,  I  left  with  an  escort 
of  Tcnne?sec  cavalry,  under  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Gantt,  for  Fort 
Henry,  accompanied  by  Major  Gilmer — veaching  that  place  at  11  and- 
a-half,  P.  M.  I  soon  became  satisfied  that  the  enemy  were  really  in 
strong  force  at  Bailey's  Ferry  with  every  indication  of  reinforce- 
ments arriving  constantly.  Col.  Heiman  of  the  10th  Tennessee,  com- 
manding with  most  commendable  alacrity  and  good  judgment,  had 
thrown  forward,  to  the  outworks  covering  the  Dover  road,  two  pieces 
of  light  artillery,  supported  by  a  detachment  from  the  4th  Mississippi 
regiment,  under  command  of  Capt.  Red.  Scouting  parties  of  cavalry, 
operating  on  both  sides  of  the  river  had  been  pushed  forward  to  within 


s,  very  short  distance  of  the  enemy's  lines.  Without  a  moment's  delay, 
After  reaching  the  Fort,  I  proceeded  to  arrange  the  available  force  to 
meet   whatever   contingency  might  arise. 

The  First  Brigade,  under  Col.  Ileiman,  Avas  composed  of  the  IDth 
Tennessee,  Lt.  Col.  McGavock,  commanding ;  27th  Alabama,  under 
Col.  Hughes  ;  the  46th  Tennessee,  under  Col.  Voorhies ;  light  bat- 
tery of  four  pieces,  commanded  by  Capt.  Culbcrtson,  and  the  Ten- 
nessee bf.ttalion  ef  (cavalry,  under  Lt.  Col.  Gant! :  Total,  officers 
and  men  1,444.  The  Second  Brigade,  Col.  Joseph  Drake,  4th  Missis- 
sippi regiment,  commanding,  was  composed  of  the  4t]x  Mississippi, 
under  Major  Adair;  the  15th  Arkansas,  Col.  G«e  ;  the  51st  Tennessee, 
Col.  Browder ;  Alabama  Battalion,  Maj.  Garvin  ;  light  battery  of  three 
pieces,  under  Capt,  Clare,  and  the  Alabama  Battalion  of  cavalry, 
Capt.  Milners'  company  of  cavalry,  with  Capt.  Padgett's  spy  compa- 
ny, a  detachment  of  Hangers,  under  acting  Captain  Melton  :  Total, 
officers  and  men,  1,215.  The  heavy  artillery  under  command  of 
€apt.  Taylor,  numbering  75,  were  placed  at  the  guns  in  Fort  Henry. 
As  indicated,  some  time  since,  to  the  General  commanding  depart- 
ment, I  found  it  impossible  to  hold  the  commanding  ground,  South 
of  the  Tennessee  river,  with  the  small  force  of  badly  armed  men  at 
my  command,  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact,  that  all  my  "defences 
were  commanded  by  the  high  ground  on  which  I  had  commenced  the 
construction  of  Fort  Heiman,  I  deemed  it  proper  to  trust  to  the 
fact,  that  the  extreme!}^  bad  roads  leading  to  that  point,  would  pre- 
vent the  movement  of  heavj'-  guns  by  the  enemy,  by  which  I  might 
be  annoyed;  and  leaving. the  Alabama  Battalion  of  Cavalry  and  Capt. 
Padgett's  spy  company  on  the  Western  bank  of  the  river,  transferred 
the  force  encamped  on  that  side  to  the  opposite  bank.  At  the  time 
of  receiving  the  first  intimation  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  the 
4Sth  and  51st  Tennessee  regiments  having  only  just  reported,  were 
encamped  at  Danville,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Sandy,  and  had  to  be 
moved  from  five  to  twenty  miles,  in  order  to  reach  Fort  Henry.  This 
movement,  together  with  the  transfer  of  the  27th  Alabama  and  15th 
Arkansas  regiments,  from  Fort  Ileiman  across  the  river,  was  all  per- 
fected by  5  o'clock,  A.  j\I.,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  the  5th,  the  enemy  v.-as  plainly  to  be  seen  at  Bailey's  Fer- 
ry, three  miles  below.  The  large  number  of  heavy  transports  reported 
by  our  scouts,  gave  evidence  of  the  luct,  that  the  enemy  wore  tliere  in 
force,  even  at  that  time,  and  the  arrival  every  hour  of  additional 
boats,  showed  conclusively  that  I  should  be  engaged  with  a  heavy 
force  by  land,  whilst  the  presence  of  seven  gun-boats,  mounting  fifty- 
four  guns,  iudica-ted  plainly  that  a  joint  attack  was  contemplated  by 
land  and  water. 

On  leaving  FdVtDoncl.-on,  I  ordered  Cnl,  Head  to  hold  his  own  and 
Col.  Suggs'  regiment  of  Tennessee  Volunteers,  with  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  warning,  with  three  days'  cooked  ra- 
tions and  without  camp  equipage,  or  wagon  train  of  any  kind,  except 
enough  to  carry  the  surplus  ammunition.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  I 
ordered  him,  in  case  nothing  more  had  been  heard  from  the  country  be- 
low, on  the  Cumberland,  at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  my  messenger, 


10 

indicating  an  intention  on  the  part  of  tlie  enemy  to  invest  Fort  Don- 
elson,  to  move  out  with  the  two  regiments,  and  the  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, and  take  position  at  the  Furnace,  half  way  on  the  Dover  road  to 
Fort  Henry — the  force  embraced  in  this  order  was  about  seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men — to  act  as  circumstances  might  dictate.  Thus- 
mntters  stood"^at  9  A.  M.,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th. 

The  wretched  military  position  of  Fort  Henry,  and  the  small  force  at 
my  disposal,  did  not  permit  mc  to  avail  myself  of  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  from  the  system  of  outworks,  built  with  the  hope  of  being 
reinforced  in  time,  and  compelled  me  to  determine,  to  concentrate  my 
efforts  by  land,  within  the  rifle  pits  surrounding  the  camp  of  the  lOth 
Tennessee  and  4th  Mississippi  regiments,  in  case  I  deemed.it  possi- 
ble to  do  more  than  to  operate  solely  against  the  attack  by  the  river. 
Accordingly,  my  entire  command  was  paraded  and  placed  in  the  rifle 
pits  around  the  above  camps,  and  minute  instructions  given,  not  only 
to  Brigades,  but  to  regiments  and  companies,  as  to  the  exact  ground 
each  was  to  occupy.  Seconded  by  the  able  assistance  of  Major  Gilmer, 
of  the  Engineers,  of  whose  valuable  services  I  thus  early  take  pleasure 
in  speaking,  and  by  Col's  Heiman  and  Drake,  every  thing  was  ar- 
ranged to  make  a  formidable  resistance  against  any  thing  like  fair  odds. 
It  was  known  to  me,  on  the  day  before,  that  the  enemy  had  reconnoi- 
tered  the  roads  leading  to  Fort  Donelson,  from  Bailey's  Ferry,  by 
way  of  Iron  Mountain  Furnace,  and  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  5th, 
I  sent  forward  from  Fort  Henry,  a  strong  reconnoitering  party  of 
cavalry.  They  had  not  advanced  more  than  one-and-a-half  miles  in 
the  direction  of  the  enemy,  when  they  encountered  their  reconnoi- 
tering party.  Our  cavalry  charged  them  in  gallant  style  upon  which 
the  enemy's  cavalry  fell  back,  with  a  loss  of  only  one  man  on  each 
side. 

Very  soon  the  main  body  of  the  Federal  advance  guard,  composed 
of  a  regiment  of  infantry  and  a  largo  force  of  cavalry,  was  met, 
ujjon  which  our  cavalry  retreated.  On  receipt  of  this  news,  I  moved 
out  in  person  with  five  companies  of  the  lOth  Tennessee,  five  com- 
panies of  the  4th  Mississippi,  and  fifty  cavalry,  ordering  at  the  same 
time  two  additional  companies  of  infantry  to  support  Captain  Red  at 
the  outworks.  Upon  advancing  well  to  the  front  I  found  that  the 
encm}'  had  retired,  I  returned  to  camp  at  5  P,  M,,  leaving  Captain 
Red  reinforced  at  the  outworks.  The  enemy  were  again  reinforced  by 
the  arrival  of  a  number  of  large  transports.  At  night  the  picketa 
from  the  west  bank  reported  the  landing  of  troops  on  that  side,  opposite 
Bailey's  Ferry,  their  advance  pickets  having  been  met  one  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  river.  I  at  once  ordered  Captain  Hubbard  of  the- 
Alabama  Cavalry  to  take  fifty  men,  and  if  possible  surprise  them. 
The  inclemency  of  the  weather,  the  rain  having  commenced  to  fall  in 
torrents,  prevented  any  thing  being  accomplished.  Early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  6th,  Captain  Padgett  reported  the  arrival  of  five  additional 
transports  over  night,  and  the  landing  of  a  large  force  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  river,  at  the  point  indicated  above.  From  that  time  up 
to  nine  o'clock,  it  appeared  as  though  the  force  on  the  east  bank 
■was  again  reinforced,  which  was  subsequently  proven  to  be  true.    The 


11 

movements  of  the  fleet  of  gun-boats  at  an  early  hour  prevented  any 
communication  except  by  a  light  barge,  with  the  Western  bank,  and 
by  10  o'clock,  A.  M  ,  it  was  plain  that  the  boats  intended  to  engage 
the  fort,  Avith  their  entire  forces,  aided  by  an  attack  on  our  right  and 
left  flanks  from  the  two  land  forces,  in  overwhelraiiTj^   numbers.      To 
understand  properly  the  difficulties  of  my  position  it  is  riglit  that  I 
should  explain  fully  the  unfortunate  location  of  Fort  Henry,  in   re- 
ference to  resistance  by  a  small  force  against  an  attack  by  land  co- 
operating with  the  gun-boats,  as  well  as  its  disadvantages  in  even  an  ' 
cncan-cment  with  boats  alone.     The  entire  fort,  to";ether  with  the  en- 
trenched  camp  spoken  of,  is  enfiladed  from  three  or  four  points  on  the 
opposite  shore,  Avhilst  three  points  on  the  eastern  bank  completely 
command  them  both,  all  at  easy  cannon  range.     At  the  same  time  thc' 
entrenched  camp,  arranged  as  it  Avas  in  the  best  possible  manner  to 
meet  the  case,  was  two  thirds  of  it  completely  under  the  concrol   o£ 
the  fire  of  the  gun-boats.      The  hntory  of  mUitary  engineering  records: 
vo  par. Mel  to  this  case.     Points  within  a  few  miles  of  it  possessing  great 
advantages  and  few  disadvantages,  were  totally  neglected,  and  a  lo- 
cation fixed  upon,  Avithout  one  redeeming  feature  or  filling  one  of  the- 
many  requirements  of  a   site  for  a  work  such  as   Fort  Henry.     The- 
work  itself  was  well  built ;   it  was  completed  long  before  I  took  com- 
mand, but  strengthened  greatly  by  myself  in  building  embrasures  and: 
epaulments  of  stind  bags.     An  enemy  had  but  to  use  their  most  com-- 
nion  sense  in  obtaining  the  advantage  of  high  water,  as  was  the  case,, 
to  have  complete  and  entire^control  of  the   position.     I  am  guilty  of" 
no  act  of  injustice  in  this  frank  avowal  of  the  opinions  entertained  by 
myself,  as  Avell  as  by  all  other  officers  who  have  become  familiar  with 
the  location  of  Fort  Henry.     Nor  do  I  desire  the  defects  of  locatioui 
to  have  an  undue  influence  in  directing  public  opinion  in  relation  to> 
the  battle  of  the  6th  instant.     The  fort  Avas  built  Avhen  I  took  charge 
and  I  had  no  time  to  build  ancAv.     With  this  seeming  digression,  ren-- 
dercd  necesssar^'-  as  I  believe  to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  Avholc- 
affair,  I  Avill  proceed  with  the  details  of  the  subsequent  movements  of 
the  troops  under  my  command.     By    10  o'clock,  A.  M*.,  on   the  Gth, 
the  movements  of  the  gun-boats  and  land  force  indicated  an   imme- 
diate engagement,  and  in  such   force  as  gave  me  no   room  to  change 
my  previously  conceived   opinions   as  to  Avhat,   under   such   circum- 
stances, should  be  my  course. 

The  case  stood  thus:  I  had  at  my  command  a  grand  total  of  2,010 
men,  only  one  third  of  whom  had  been  at  all  disciplined  or  well  armed. 
The  high  Avater  in  the  river  filling  the  sloughs,  gave  me  but  one 
route  on  Avhich  to  retire,  if  necessary,  and  that  route  fol*  some  dis- 
tance, in  direction,  at  right  angles  to  the  line  of  approach  of  the 
enemy,  and  over  roads  avbU  nigh  impassable  for  artillery,  cavalry  or 
infantry. 

The  enemy  had  seven  gun-boats,  Avith  an  armament  of  fifty-four  guns^ 
to  engage  the  eleven  guns  at  Fort  Henry. 

General  Grant  Avas  moving  up  the  cast  bank  of  the  river  from  his 
landing  three  miles  below  Avith  a  force  of  tAvelvc  thoui^and  men, 
verified  afterAvards  by  his  own  statement ;  whilst  General  Smith  with 


12 

six  thousand  men,  -was  moving  up  the  west  bank  to  take  a  position 
within  four  or  five*  hundred  yards,  which  wouhl  enable  him  to  enfilade 
my  entire  works.  The  hopes  (founded  on  a  kno^Ylege  of  the  fact,  that 
the  enemy  had  reconnoitcrcd  on  the  two  previous  days  thoroughly  the 
several  roads  le.triing  to  Fort  Doncl.^^oh,)  that  a  portion  only  of  the 
land  force  wouM  co-operate  with  the  gun-boats  in  an  attack  on  the 
fort,  were  dispelled,  and  but  liltlc  time  left  me  to  meet  this  change  in 
the  circumstances  which  surrounded  me.  I  argued  thus:  Fort  Donsl- 
son  might  possibly  be  hchl,  if  properly  reinforcid,  even  though  Fort 
Jlenrv  should  fall,  but  the  urease  o^  this  proposition  was  not  true. 
The  force  at  Fort  Henry  was  necessary  to  aid  i^ort  Donelson,  either 
in  making  a  successful  defence^  or  in  holding  it  long  enough  to  answer 
the  purposes  of  a  new  disposition  of  the  entire  army  from  Bowling 
Green  to  Columbus,  which  would  necessarily  follow  the  breaking  of 
our  centre,  resting  on  Forts  Donelson  and  Henry.  The  latter  alter- 
native was  all  that  I  deemed  possible.  I  knew  that  reinforcements 
were  difficult  to  be  had,  and  that  unless  sent  in  such  force  as  to  make 
the  defence  certain^  which  I  did  not  believe  practicable,  the  fate  of  our 
right  wing  at  Bowling  Green  depended  upon  a  concentration  of  my 
entire  division  on  Fort  Donelson,  and  the  holding  of  that  place  as  long 
as  possible,  trusting  that  the  delay  by  an  action  at  Fovt  Henry,  would 
give  time  for  such  reinforcement  as  might  reasonably  be  expected  to 
reach  a  point  sufficiently  near  Donelson,  to  co-operate  with  my  divi- 
sion by  getting  to  the  rear,  and  right  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  in  such  a 
position  as  to  control  the  roads,  over  which  a  safe  retreat  might  be 
effected.  I  hesitated  not  a  moment.  ]\Iy  infontry,  arlillery  and  cav- 
alry, removed  of  necessity  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  gun-boats,  to  the 
outworks,  could  not  meet  the  enemy  there.  My  only  chance  was  to 
delay  the  enemy  every  moment  possible,  and  retire  the  command  now 
outside  the  main  work,  towards  Fort  Donelson,  resolving  to  sufier  as 
little  loss  as  possible.  I  retained  only  the  heavy  artillery  company 
to  fight  the  guns,  and  gave  the  order  to  commence  the  movement  at 
once.  At  10  1-4  o'clock.  Lieutenant  McGavock  sent  a  messenger  to 
me,  stating  th;ft  our  pickets  reported  General  Grant  approaching  ra- 
pidly', and  within  half  a  mile  of  the  advance  work,  and  movements 
on  the  west  bank  indicated  that  General  Smith  was. fast  approaching 
also. 

The  enemy,  ignorant  of  any  movement  of  my  main  body,  but  know- 
ing that  they  could  not  engage  them  behind  our  entrenched  camp, 
until  after  the  fort  was  reduced,  or  the  gun-boats  retired,  without 
being  tlunnselves  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  latter,  took  a  position 
north  of  the  foiks  of  the  Dover  road  in  a  dense  wood,  (my  order  being 
to  retreat  by  way  of  Stewart  road)  to  await  the  result.  At  1 1  A.  M., 
the  flotilla  assumed  their  line  of  battle,  I  had  no  hope  of  being  able 
fiuccc'ssfully  to  defend  the  fort  against  such  overwhelming  odds,  both 
in  point  of  numbers  and  in  calibre  of  guns.  Aly  object  was  to  save 
the  main  body  by  delaying  matters  as  long  as  possible,  and  to  this  end 
I  bent  every  efl'ort.  At  1 1.45,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  opened  from  their 
gun-boats  on  the  fort.  I  waited  a  few  moments  until  the  effects  of 
the  first  shots  of  the  enemy  were  fully  appreciated.     I  then  gave  the 


13 

order  to  return  the  fire,  •\vhicli  was  gallantly  responded  to,  by  the 
brave  little  band  under  my  command.  The  enemy  -with  great  deliber- 
ation, steadily  closed  upon  the  fort,  firing  very  wihl  until  within  twelve 
hundred  yards.  The  cool  deliberation  of  our  men  told  from  the  first 
shot  fired  with  tremendous  eftec.t.  At  twenty-five  minutes  of  one 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  bursting^of  our  24rpounder  rifle  gun  disabled  every 
man  at  the  piece. 

This  great  loss,  was  to  us  in  a  degree  made  up,  by  our  disabling 
entirely,  the  Essex  gun-boat,  which  immediately  floated  down  stream. 
Immediately  after  the  loss  oi  this  valuable  gun,  wc  sustained  ano- 
ther loss  still  greater,  in  the  closing  up  of  the  vent  of  the  1 0-inch 
Columbiad,  rendering  that  gun  perfectly  useless,  and  defying  all  eiforts 
to  re-open  it. 

The  fire  on  both  sides  was  now  perfectly  terrific.  The  enemy's 
entire  force  was  engaged,  doing  us  but  little  harm  whilst  otir  shot  fell 
with  unerring  certainty  upon  them,  and  with  stunning  eff'ect.  At 
this  time,  a  question  presented  itself  to  me,  with  no  inconsiderable 
degree  of  embarrassment.  The  moment  had  arrived  when  I  should 
join  the  main  body  of  troops  retiring  towards  Fort  D.onelson,  the 
safety  of  which  depended  upon  a  protracted  defence  of  the  Fort.  It 
was  equally  plain,  that  the  gallant  men  working  the  , batteries  (for  the 
first  time  under  fire,)  with  all  their  heroism,  needed  my  presence. 
Colonel  Ileiman,  the  next  in  command,  had  returned  to  the  Fort  for 
instructions.  The  men  working  the  heavy  guns  were  becoming  ex- 
hausted with  the  rapid  firing.  Another  gun  became  useless  by  an  acci- 
<lent,  and  yet  another  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell  immediately  after 
striking  the  muzzle,  involving  the  death  of  two  men  and  disabling  several 
others.  The  effect  of  my  absence  at  such  a  critical  moment,  would 
have  been  disastrous.  At  the  earnest  solicitations  of  many  of  my  offi- 
cers and  men,  I  determined  to  remain,  and  ordered  Colonel  Ileiman 
to  join  his  command  and  keep  up  the  retreat  in  good  order,  whilst  I 
would  fight  the  guns  as.  long  as  one  was  left,  and  sacrifice  myself  to 
save  the  main  body  of  ray  troops.  No  sooner  was  this  decision 
made  known,  than  new  energy  was  infused.  The  enemy  closed  upon 
the  Fort  to  within  six  hundred  yards,  improving  very  much  in  their 
fire,  which  now  began  to  tell  with  great  eflfect  upon  the  parapets, 
whilst  the  fire  from  our  guns  (now  reduced  to  seven)  was  returned 
with  such  deliberation  an<l  judgment  that  we  scarcely  missed  a  shot. 
A  second  one  of  the  gun-boats  retired,  but  I  believe  was  brought  into 
action  again.  At  1  o'clock  10  minutes,  so  completely  broken  down 
were  the  men,  that  but  for  the  fact  that  four  only,  of  our  guns,  were 
then  really  serviceable. — I  could  not  well  have  worked  a  greater  num- 
ber. The  fire  was  still  continued  Avith.  great  energy  and  tremendous 
eff'ect  upon  the  enemy's  boats.  At  1.30  o'clock,  I  took  charge  of  one 
of  the  32-poundcrs  to  I'elieve  the  chief  of  that  piece,  who  had 
worked  it  with  great  effect  from  the  beginning  of  the  action.  '♦I  gave 
the  flagship  Cincinnati  two  shot;?,  which  had  the  eff'ect  to  check  a  move- 
ment, intended  to  enfilade  the  only  gun  now  left  me. 

It  was  now  plain  to  be  seen  that  the  enemy  were  breaching  the  Fort 
directly  in  front  of  our  guns,  and  that  I  could  not  much  longer  sustain 


14 

their  fire,  without  an  unjustifiable  exposure  of  the  valuable  lives  of 
the  men  ^vho  had  so  nobly  seconded  me  in  the  unequal  struggle. 
Several  of  my  oflicers,  Major  Gilmer  among  the  number,  now  sug- 
gested to  me  the  propriety  of  taking  the  subject  of  a  surrender  into 
considcratio|i. 

Every  moment,  I  kneAv,  waa  of  vast  importance  to  those  retreating 
on  Fort  Donclson,  and  I  declined,  hoping  to  find  men  enough  at  hand, 
to  continue  awhile  longer  the  fire  now  so  destructive  to  the  enemy.  In 
this  I  was  disappointed.  My  next  effort  was  to  try  the  experiment  of  a 
Hag  of  truce,  which  I  waved  from  the  parapets  myself.  This  was  pre- 
cisely at  ten  minutes  before  two  o'clock  P.  M.  The  flag  was  not  no- 
ticed, I  presume,  from  the  dense  smoke  that  enveloped  it,  and  leaping 
again  into  the  Fort,  I  continued  the  fire  for  five  minutes,  when,  with 
the  advice  of  my  brother  officers,  I  ordered  the  flag  to  be  lowered, 
.  after  an  engagement  of  two  hours  and  ten  minutes,  Avith  such  an 
unequal  force. 

The  surrender  was  made  to  flag  officer  Foote,  represented  b}'-  Cap- 
tain Stemblc,  commanding  gun-boat  Cincinnati,  and  vras  qualified  by 
the  single  condition  that  all  officers  should  retain  their  side  arms,  that 
both  officers  and  men  should  be  treated  with  the  highest  consideration 
due  prisoners  of  war,  which  was  promptly  and  gracefully  acceded  to  by 
Commodore  Foote. 

The  retreat  of  the  main  body  was  efi'ected  in  good  order,  though 
involving  the  loss  of  about  twenty  prisoners,  who  from  sickness  and 
other  causes,  were 'unable  to  encounter  the  heavy  roads.  The  rear 
of  the  army  was  overtaken  at  a  distance  of  some  three  miles  from  Fort 
Henry  by  a  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  but  in  being  engaged  by  a 
small  body  of  our  men,  under  Major  Garving,  Avere  repulsed  and  re- 
tired. This  fact  alone  shows  the  necessity  of  the  policy  pursued 
by  me  in  protracting  the  defence  of  the  Fort  as  long  as  possible — 
which  only  could  have  been  done  by  my  consentin-g  to  stand  by  the 
brave  little  band.  No  loss  was  sustained  by  our  troops  in  this 
affiiir  with  the  enemy.  I  have  understood  from  the  prisoners,  that 
several  pieces  of  artillery  also  were  lost,  it  being  entirely  impossible 
to  move  them  over  four  or  five  miles  with  the  indifferent  teams  at- 
tached to  them. 

The  entire  absence  of  transportation  rendered  any  attempt  to 
move  the  camp  ofjuipage  of  the  regiments  impossible.  This  may  be 
regarded  as  fortunate,  as  the  roads  Avere  utterly  impassable,  not  only 
from  the  rains,  but  the  backwater  of  the  Tennessee  river. 

A  smull  amount  of  quartermaster's  and  commissary  stores,  together 
•with  what  Avas'left  of  the  ordnance  stores,  were  lost  to  us;  also  the 
lents  of  the  Alabama  regiment  vere  left  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river, 
the  gun-boats  preventing  an  opportunity  to  cross  them'  over.  Our 
-casualties  may  bo  reported  strictly  as  follows  :  killed  by  the  enemy,  two; 
-wounded  severely  by  the  enemy,  three;  (one  since  dead,)  wounded 
slightly  by  the  enemy,  two;  killed  by  premature  explosion,  two; 
wounded  seriously  by  premature  explosion,  one  ;  slightly  Avourided,  one  ; 
•temporarily  disabled  by  explosion  of  rifle  gun,  five;  making  total 
iilled,   five;    seriously  wounded,   three;    slightly   Avounded,    three; 


15 

disaLled,  five ;  missing,  five  ;  total  casualties,  twenty-one.  The  total 
casualties  of  the  enemy  were  stated  in  my  presence  on  the  follow- 
ing morning,  to  be  seventy-three,  including  one  officer  of  Essex  killed, 
and  Cptaain  Porter,  commanding  Essex,  badly  scalded. 

The  enemy  report  the  number  of  shot  that  struck  their  vessels  to 
have  been  seventy-four,  twenty-eight  of  which  struck  the  flag  ship 
Cincinnati,  so  disabling  her  as  to  compel  her  to  return  to  Cairo.  The 
Essex  received  twenty-two  shots,  one  of  which  passed,  wo  know,  en- 
tirely through  the  ship,  opening  one  of  her  boilers  and  taking  oft"  the 
head  of  Captain  Porter's  Aid-de-Camp.  Several  shots  passed  entirely 
through  the  Cincinnati,  whilst  her  underworks  were  completely  rid- 
dled. 

The  weak  points  in  all  their  vessels  were  known  to  us,  and  tlic 
cool  precision  of  our  firing  delevopcd  them,  showing  conclusively  that 
this  class  of  boats,  though  formidable,  cannot  stand  the  test  of  even  the 
thirty-two  pounders,  much  less  the  twenty-four  calibre  rifle  shot,  or 
that  of  the  ten-inch  columbiad.  It  should  be  remembered  that  these 
results  were  principally  from  no  heavier  metal  than  the  ordinary  thirty- 
two  pounders  using  solid  shot,  fired  at  point  blank,  giving  vessels  all 
the  advantages  of  its  peculiar  structure,  with  planes  meeting  this 
fire  at  angles  of  forty-five  degrees.  The  immense  area  forming  what 
may  be  called  the  roof  is  in  every  respect  vulnerable  to  either  a 
plunging  fire  from  even  thirty-two  pounders  or  a  curved  line  of  fire  from 
heavy  guns.  In  the  latter  case  shells  should  be  used  in  preference  t;) 
shot. 

Confident  of  having  performed  my  whole  duty  to  my  Government  in 
the  defence  of  Fort  Henry,  with  the  totally  inadequate  means  at  my 
disposal,  I  have  but  little  to  add  in  support  of  the  views  before  ex- 
pressed. The  reasons  for  the  line  of  policy  pursued  by  me,  are,  to 
my  mind,  convincing. 

Against  such  overwhelming  odds  as  sixteen  thousand  well  armed 
men.  (exclusive  of  the  force  on  the  gun-boats,)  to  two  thousand  six 
hundred  and  ten  badly  armed  in  the  field,  and  fifty-four  heavy  guns 
against  eleven  medium  ones,  in  the  Fort,  no  tactics  or  brjivery  could 
avail.  The  rapid  movements  of  the  enemy,  Avith  every  facility  at 
their  command,  rendered  the  defence,  from  the  beginning,  a  hopeless 
one.  I  succeeded  in  doing  even  more  than  was  to  be  hoped  for  at  first. 
I  not  only  saved  my  entire  command,  outside  the  Fort,  but  (kmaged-, 
materially,  the  flotilla,  of  the  enemy,  demonstrating  thoroughly  a  prob- 
lem of  infinite  value  to  us  in  the  future.  Had  I  been  reinforced  so 
as  to  have  justified  my  meeting  the  enemy  at  the  advanced  works,  [ 
m-ight  have  made  good  the  land  defence  on  the  east  bank.  I  make  no 
enquiry  as  to  why  I  was  not,  for  I  have  entire  confidence  in  the  judg- 
ment of  my  commanding  General. 

The  elements  even  were  against  us,  and  had  the  enemy  delayed 
his  attack  a  few  days,  with  the  river  rising,  one-third  of  the  entire 
fortification  (already  afl'ected  by  it)  would  have  been  washed  away, 
whilst  the  remaining  portion  of  the  works  would  have  been  untenable 
by  reason  of  the  depth  of  water  over  the  whole  iiiterior  portion. 

The  number  of  officers  surrendered  (sec  paper  marked  A)  was  twelve. 


13 

The  number  of  non-commissioned  oflSccrs  and  privates  in  tlie  Fort  afc 
the  time  of  the  surrender,  (see  paper  marked  B,)  was  sixty-six,  whilst 
the  number  in  hospital  boat  (Fatten)  was  (see  paper  marked  C,> 
sixteen, 

I  take  great  pleasure  in  making  honorable  mention  of  all  the  officers 
and  men  under  my  command.  To  Captain  Taylor  of  the  artillery,  and 
the  officers  of  his  corps,  Lieutenants  Watts  and  Weller;  to  Captain 
G.  R.  (.r.  Jones,  in  command  of  the  right  battery ;'  to  Captains  Miller 
and  Ilaydon  of  the  engineci-s;  to  A.  A.  A.  General  McCornico;  to 
Captain  11.  L.  Jones,  Brigade  Quartermaster;  to  Captain  McLaugh- 
lin, Quartermaster  lOth  Tennessee,  and  to  Surgeons  Voorhies  and 
Ilorton,  of  the  Kith  Tennessee,  the  thanks  of  the  whole  country  are 
due  for  their  consummate  devotion  to  our  high  and  holy  cause.  To 
Sergeants  John  Jones,  Ilallum,  Cubine  and  Selkirk ;  to  Corporals 
Capass, -Cavin  and  Kenfro,  in  charge  of  guns,  as  w^ell  as  to  all  the 
men,  I  feel  a  large  debt  is  due  for  their  bravery  and  efficiency,  in  work- 
ing the  heavy  guns  so  long  and  so  efficiently.  Officers  and  men  alike- 
seemed  actuated  but  by  one  spirit,  that  of  devotion  to  a  cause  in 
which  was  involved  "life,  liberty  and  the. pursuit  of  happiness." 
Every  blow  struck  was  aimed  by  cool  heads  supported  by  strong  arms 
and  honest  hearts.  .  I  feel  that  it  is  a  duty  I  owe  to  Colonel  A.  Hei- 
man,  commanding  10th  Tennessee  regiment,  to  give  this  testimony  of 
my  high  appreciation  of  him  as  a  soldier  and  as  a  man,  due  to  his  gal- 
lant regiment,  both  officers  and  men.  I  place  them  second  to  no  reg- 
iment I  have  seen  in  the  army. 

To  Captain  Dixon  of  the  Engineers,  I  owe,  as  docs  the  whole  counti-y, 
my  special  acknowledgments  of  his  ability  and  unceasing  energies. 
Under  his  immediate  eye,  were  all  the  works  proposed  by  myself  at 
Forts  DonelsoTT  and  Heiman  executed,  whilst  his  fruitful ness  in  re- 
sources to  meet  the  many  disadvantages  of  position,  alone  enabled  us 
to  combat  its  difficulties  successfully. 

To  Lieutenant  Watts,  of  the  heavy  artillery,  as  acting  ordnance 
officer  at  Fort  Henry,  I  owe  this  special  notice  of  the  admirable  con- 
dition of  the  Ordnance  Department  at  that  post.  Lieutenant  Watts  ia 
the  coolest'  officer  under  fire  I  ever  met  with. 

I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  marked  courtesy  and  con- 
sideration of  Slag  Officer  Foote  of  the  Federal  Navy,  of  Captain  Stem- 
ble  and  the  other  naval  officers  to  myself,  officers  and  men.  Their 
gallant  bearing  during  the  action,  gave  evidence  of  a  brave,  and, 
therefore,  generous  foe. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  LLOYD  TILGTIMAN, 

Brigadier  General,   Commanding. 

(Official)  ED.  A.  PALFRED, 

A.  A.  GtmiaL 

A.  &  I.  G.  Office,  August  33,  18-62. 


SUPPLEMENT  TO  THE  RE;:>0RT  OF  GENERAL  TILGHMAN. 


Richmond,  Aug.  9th,  1862. 

My  attention  having  Tjeen  called  since  writing  the  above  report,  to 
certain  statements  made  in  the  somewhat  unofficial  reports  of  the  bat- 
tles at  Fort  Donelson,  on  the  subject  of  the  condition  of  the  fortifica- 
tions at  that  place,  at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  re-inforcements. 
I  deem  it  highly  proper  to  protect  my  own,  as  well  as  the  reputation 
of  the  officers  and  men  of  my  command,  and  place  the  facts  of  the 
case  on  record. 

Nearly  broken  down  by  incessant  work  from  the  middle  of  June, 
in  organizing  and  perfecting  the  first  Kentucky  brigade,  and  in  re- 
modeling the  brigade  at  Hopkinsville,  Ky,,  I  was  not  in  the  best 
condition,  so  late  as  the  \5th  of  December,  to  commence  in  a  noAV 
field  of  operations,  and  work  into  perfect  shape  a  third  brigade,  and 
carry  on  the  system  of  fortifications  on  both  the  Cumberland  and 
Tennessee,  necessary  for  the  important  line  entrusted  to  my  care. 
The  facts  of  the  case  are  simply  these:  On  reaching  Fort  Donelson, 
the  middle  of  December,  I  found  at  my  disposal,  six  undisciplined  com- 
panies of  infantry,  with  an  unorganized  light  battery.  Whilst  a 
small  water  battery  of  two  light  guns  constituted  the  available  river 
defence.  Four  32-pounders  had  been  rightly  placed,  but  were,  not 
Available.  By  the  25th  of  January,  I  had  prepared  tlte  entire  bat- 
teries (except  one  piece  which  arrived  too  late,)  for  the  river  defences, 
built  the  entire  field  work  with  a  trace  of  2900  feet,  and  in  the  most 
substantial  manner,  constructed  a  large  amount  of  abatis,  and  com- 
menced guarding  the  approaches  by  rille-pits  and  abatis.  This  was 
all  done  when  the  reinforcements  arrived,  and  when  the  total  lack  of 
transportation  is  taken  into  consideration,  as  well  as  the  inclemency 
of  the  season,  and  yet  find  not  only  the  original  troops  there,  but 
nearly  all  my  re-inforcements  housed  in  something  like  four  hundred 
good  cabins,  I  conceive  my  time  to  have  been  avcII  spent.  Whilst 
this  was  being  done,  the  strengthening  of  Fort  Henry,  the  building 
of  all  the  outworks  around  it,  together  with  the  advanced  state  of  the 
new  works  south  of  Tennessee  river, — Fort  lleiman,  together  with 
its  line  of  rillc-pits  and  abatis,  was  all  thoroughly  performed,  and 
satisfy  my  own  mind  that  officers  and  men  could  not  have  fallen  short 
in  their  duties  to  have  accomplished  so  much.  The  failure  of  adequate 
support,  doubtless  from  sufficient  cause,  cast  me  on  my  own  re- 
sources, and  compelled  me  to  assume  responsibilities  which  may 
2 


18 


have  worked  a  partial  evil.  I  aimed  at  the  general  good  and  am  the 
last  man  to  shrink  from  assuming  what  is  most  likely  to  accomplish 
such  an  end.  I  would  further  state  that  I  had  connected  both  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson  by  a  line  of  telegraph  from  Cumberland  City, 
total  length  of  line  about  thirty-five  miles,  thus  placing  me  in  close 
relations  with  Bowling  Green  and  Columbus. 


LIST  OF   COMMISSIONED   OFFICERS   SURRENDERED   AT 
FORT  HENRY,  FEBRUARY  6,  1862. 

Brigadier  General  Lloyd  Tilghman,  Commanding. 

Captain  II.  L,  Jones,  Quartermaster's  Department. 

Captain  John  McLaughlin,  Quartermaster's  Department. 

Captain  Joseph  A.  Miller,  Engineer  Department. 

Captain  J.  A.  Haydon,  "  " 

Captain  G.  R.  G.  Jones,  Heavy  Artillery. 

A.  A.  A.  General  W.  L.  McCornico. 

Captain  Jesse  Taylor,  Artillery. 

Lieut.  W.  0.  Watts,  *' 

Lieut.  F.  J.  Weller,  • 

Surgeon  A.  H.  Voorhics,  Medical  Department. 

Assistant  Surgeon  W.  D.  Horton,  Medical  Department. 


o 

(B) 

LIST  OF  NON-COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS  AND  PRIVATES, 
SURRENDERED  AT  FORT  HENRY,  FEBRUARY  G,  1862. 

1st  Sergeant  John  Jones,  Sergeant  II.  C.  Ilallum,  Sergeant  W. 
J.  B.  Cubine,  Sergeant  W.  H.  Selkirk. 

Corporal   N.  Capass,  -wounded,  Corporal   S.  W.  Greenleaf. 

Privates — Edward  Drake,  J.  B.  White,  Thomas  Buckingham, 
Patrick  Stout,  C.  C.  Brooks,  C.  C.  Whitford,  John  Elliott,  0.  P. 
Saltsgiver,  Alexander  Joyce,  Thomas  Moran,  Michal  Dasscy,  L.  A. 
Garvin,  A.  G.  Gibson,  S.  D.  Johnson,  John  Hardin,  Wm.  Daniels, 
William  Carter,  Thomas  Philips,  James  Campbell,  D.  H.  Ilatin, 
James  McHugh,  W.  H.  Rutherford,  L.  C.  Thomason,  John  Wyall, 
E.  F.  Lylc,  M.  M.  Bailey,  M.  V.  Ray,  S.  R.  Myers,  B.  Sharp,  II. 
Carter,  W.  J.  Miles,  C.  C.  Jones,  S.  G.  Casey,  James  Mosley,  G.  W. 
Cattrell,  11.  C.  Pesk,  Fred.  Waller,  0.  F.  Wickerson,  J.  C.  Ilickev, 
John  Long,  R.  Garner,  T.  M.  Menitt,  J.  T.  Marshall,  J.  W.  Marshall. 


THE  BATTLE 


OF 


FOET  DO^TELSOK 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  FLOYD,  COMMANDING. 


Camp,  near  Murfreesboro', 

February  27th,  1862. 

General  A.  S.  Johnston  : 

Sir: — Your  order  of  the  12th  of  this  month,  transmitted  to  me 
from  Bowling  Green  by  telegraph  to  Cumberland  City,  reached  me 
the  same  evening.  It  directed  me  to  repair  at  once,  with  what  foTce 
I  could  command,  to  the  support  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Donelson.  I 
immediately  prepared  for  my  departure,  and  effected  it  in  time- to 
reach  Fort  Donelson  the  next  morning,  13th,  before  day  light.  IMea- 
sures  had  been  already  taken  by  Brigadier  General  Pillow,  then  in 
command,  to  render  our  resistance  to  the  attack  of  the  enemy  as  ef- 
fectual as  possible.  He  had,  with  activity  and  industry,  pushed  for- 
ward the  defensive  works  towards  completion.  These  defences  consisted 
of  an  earth-work  in  Fort  Donelson,  in  which  were  mounted  guns  of 
different  calibres  to  the  number  of  thirteen.  A  field  work,  intended 
for  the  infantry  support,  was  constructed  immediately  behind  the  bat- 
tery, and  upon  the  summit  of  the  hill  in  rear.  Sweeping  away  from 
this  field  work  eastward,  to  the  extent  of  nearly  two  miles  in  its 
windings,  was  a  line  of  intrenchments,  defended  on  the  outside  at  some 
points  with  abatis.  These  intrenchments  were  occupied  by  the  troops 
already  there,  and  by  the  addition  of  those  which  came  upon  the  field 
•with  me.  The  position  of  the  fort,  which  was  established  by  the  Ten- 
nessee authorities,  was  by  no  means  commanding,  nor  was  the  least 
military  significance  attached  to  the  position.  The  intrenchments 
afterwards  hastily  made,  in  many  places  were  injudiciously  construct- 
ed because  of  the  distance  they  were  placed  from  the  brow  of  the  hill, 


22 

subjecting  the  men  to  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters 
opposite,  as  they  advanced  to  or  retired  from  the  intrenchments.  Soon 
after  my  arrival,  the  intrenchments  were  fully  occupied  from  one  end  to 
the  other,  and  just  as  the  sun  rose  the  cannonade,  from  one  of  the 
enemy's  gun-boats,  announced  the  opening  of  the  conflict,  which  was 
destined  to  continue  for  three  days  and  nights.  In  a  very  short  time 
the  fire  became  general  along  our  whole  lines,  and  the  enemy,  who 
had  already  planted  batteries  at  several  points  around  the  whole  cir- 
cuit of  our  intrenchments,  as  shown  by  a  diagram  herewith  sent, 
opened  a  general  and  active  fire  from  all  arms  upon  our  trenches, 
which  continued  until  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  They 
charged  with  uncommon  spirit  at  several  points  along  on  the  line,  but 
most  particularly  at  a  point  undefended  by  intrenchments,  down  a  hol- 
low, which  separated  the  right  wing,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier 
General  Buckncr,  from  the  right  of  the  centre,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Ileiman.  This  charge  was  prosecuted  with  uncommon  vigor,  but  was 
met  with  a  determined  spirit  of  resistance,  a  cool,  deliberate  courage, 
both  by  the  troops  of  Brigadier  General  Buckner  and  Colonel  Heiman, 
which  drove  the  enemy  discomfited,  and  cut  to  pieces,  back  upon  the 
position  he  had  assumed  in  the  morning.  Too  high  praise  cannot  be 
bestowed  upon  the  battery  of  Captain  Porter,  for  their  participation 
in  the  rout  of  the  enemy  in  this  assault.  ^My  position  was  immediately 
in  front  of  the  point  of  attack,  and  I  was  thus  enabled  to  witness  more 
distinctly  the  incidents  of  it.  The  enemy  continued  their  fire  upon 
difl'erent  parts  of  our  intrenchments  throughout  the  night  which  de- 
prived our  men  of  any  opportunity  to  sleep.  We  lay  that  night  upon 
our  arms  in  the  trenches.  We  confidently  expected  at  the  dawn  of 
day,  a  more  vigorous  attack  than  ever,  but  in  this  we  were  entirely 
mistaken.  The  day  advanced,  and  no  preparation  seemed  to  be  mak- 
ing for  a  general  onset,  but  an  extremely  annoying  fire  was  kept  up 
from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  thioughout  the  whole  length  of  the 
intrenchments,  from  their  long  range  rifles.  Whilst  this  mode  of  at- 
tack was  not  attended  with  any  considerable  loss,  it  nevertheless  con- 
fined the  men  to  their  trenches,  and  prevented  them  from  taking  their 
usual  rest.  So  stood  the  aff'airs  of  the  field  until  about  3  o'clock  P. 
M.,  when  the  fleet  of  gun-boats  in  full  force,  advanced  upon  the  fort, 
and  opened  fire.  They  advanced  in  the  shape  of  a  crescent,  and  kept 
up  a  constant  and  incessant  fire  for  one  hour  and  a  half,  which  v^as 
replied  to  with  uncommon  vigor  and  spirit  by  the  fort.  Once  the 
boats  reached  a  point  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  at  which 
time  it  was  that  three  of  their  boats  sustained  serious  injuries  from 
our  batteries,  and  were  compelled  to  fall  back.  The  line  was  broken, 
and  the  enemy  discomfited  on  the  water,  giving  up  the  fight  entirely, 
which  he  soon  afterwards  renewed.  I  was  satisfied,  from  the  incidents 
of  the  last  two  days,  that  the  enemy  did  not  intend  again  to  give  us 
battle  in  our  trenches.  They  had  been  fairly  repulsed,.with  very  heavy 
slaughter,  upon  every  efl'ort  to  storm  our  position,  and  it  was  but  fair 
to  infer  that  they  would  not  again  renew  the  unavailing  attempt  at 
our  dislodgment,  when  certain  means  to  effect  the  same  end  without 
loss,  were  perfectly  at  their  command. 


23 

"We  were  aware  of  the  fact, that  extremely  heavy  reinforcements  had 
been  continually  arriving  day  and  night,  for  three  days  and  nights, 
and  I  had  no  doubt  whatever,  that  their  whole  available  force  on  the 
western  waters,  could  and  would  be  concentrated  here,  if  it  was  deem- 
ed necessary,  to  reduce  our  position.  I  had  already  seen  the  impossi- 
bility of  holding  out  for  any  length  of  time,  with  our  inadequate  num- 
ber, and  indefensible  position.  There  was  no  place  within  our 
intrcnchments,  but  could  be  reached  by  the  enemy's  artillery  from 
their  boats,  or  their  batteries.  It  was  but  fair  to  infer,  that  whilst  they 
kept  up  a  sufficient  fire  upon  our  intrcnchments  to  keep  our  men  from 
sleep  and  prevent  repose,  their  object  was  merely  to  give  time  to  pass 
a  column  above  us  on  the  river,  both  on  the  right  and  left  banks,  and 
thus  to  cut  oif  all  our  communication,  and  to  prevent  the  possibility  of 
egress. 

I  thus  saw  clearly  that  but  one  course  was  left,  by  which  a  rational 
hope  could  be  entertained  of  saving  the  garrison,  or  a  part  of  it — that 
was,  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  tlio  position  on  our  left,  and  thus  to 
pass  our  people  into  the  open  country,  lying  southward  towards  Nash- 
ville. I  called  for  a  consultation  of  the  officers  of  divisions  and  bri- 
gades, to  take  place  after  dark,  when  this  plan  was  laid  before  them,  ap- 
proved and  adopted  ;  and  at  which  time  it  was  determined  to  move 
from  the  trenches  at  an  early  hour,  on  the  next  morning,  and  attack 
the  enemy  in  his  position.  It  was  agreed  that  the  attack  should  com- 
mence upon  our  extreme  left,  and  this  duty  was  assigned  to  Brigadier 
General  Pillow,  assisted  by  Brigadier  General  Johnson,  having  also 
under  his  command,  commanders  of  brigades — Col.  Baldwin  command- 
ing Mississippi  and  Tennessee  troops,  and  Col.  Wharton  and  Col.  Mc- 
Causland,  commanding  Virginians.  To  Brig.  Gen.  Buckner  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  making  the  attack  from  near  the  centre  of  our 
lines  upon  the  enemy's  forces  upon  the  Wynn's  ferry  road.  The  at- 
tack on  the  left  Avas  delayed  longer  than  I  expected,  and  consequently 
the  enemy  was  found  in  position,  when  our  troops  advanced.  The  at- 
tack, however,  on  our  part,  was  extremely  spirited,  and  although  the 
resistance  of  the  enemy  was  obstinate,  and  their  numl)ers  far  exceeded 
ours,  our  people  succeeded  in  driving  them  discomfite<l  and  terribly  cut 
to  pieces  from  the  entire  left.  The  Kentucky  troops  under  Brigadier 
General  Buckner  advanced  from  their  position  behind  the  intrcnch- 
ments up  the  Wynn's  ferry  roa<l,  but  not  until  the  enemy  had  been 
driven,  in  a  great  measure,  from  the  position  he  occupied  in  the  morn- 
ing. I  had  ordered,  on  the  night  before^  tl/at  the  two  regiments 
stationed  in  Fort  Bonelson,  should  occupy  the  trenches  vacated  by 
Brig.  Gen.  ]]uckner's  forces,  which,  together  witli  the  men  whom  he 
detached  to  assist  in  this  purpose,  I  thought  sufficient  to  hold  them. 
JNIy  intention  was  to  hold,  with  Brig.  Gen.  Buckncr's  command,  the 
Wynn's  ferry  road,  and  thus  to  prevent  the  enemy,  during  tlic  night, 
from  occupying  the  position  on  our  left,  which  he  occupied  in  the 
morning.  I  gave  him  orders  upon  the  field  to  that  effect.  Leaving 
him  in  position  then,  I  started  for  the  right  of  our  command,  to  see 
that  all  was  secure  there,  my  intention  being,  if  things  could  be  held 
in  the  condition  they  then  were,  to  move  the  whole  army,  if  possible, 


24 

to  the  open  country,  lying  southward,  beyond  the  Randolph  forge. 
During  my  absence,  and  from  some  misapprehension,  I  presume,  of 
the  previous  order  given,  Brig.  Gen.  Pillow  ordered  Brig.  Gen.  Buck- 
ner  to  leave  his  position  on  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  and  to  secure  his 
place  in  his  trenches  on  the  right.  This  movement  was  nearly  exe- 
cuted before  I  was  aware  of  it.  As  the  enemy  were  pressing  upon  the 
trenches,  I  deemed  that  the  execution  of  this  last  order  was  all  that 
was  left  to  be  done.  The  enemy,  in  fact,  succeeded  in  occupying  one 
angle  of  the  trenches  on  the  extreme  right  of  Brig.  Gen.  Buckncr's 
comrfiand,  and  as  the  fresh  forces  of  the  enemy  had  begun  already  to 
move  towards  our  left,  to  occupy  the  position  they  held  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  as  we  had  no  force  adequate  to  oppose  their  progress,  we  had 
to  submit  to  the  mortification  of  seeing  the  ground  which  we  had  won, 
by  such  a  severe  conflict  in  the  morning,  re-occupicd  by  the  enemy 
before  midnight. 

The  enemy  liad  been  landing  reinforcements  throughout  the  day. 
His  numbers  had  been  augmented  to  eighty-three  regiments.  Our 
troops  were  completely  exhausted  by  four  days  and  nights  of  continued 
conflict.  To  renew  it  with  any  hope  of  successful  result  was  obviously 
vain,  and  such  I  understood  to  be  the  unanimous  opinion  of  all  the  offi- 
cers present  at  the  council,  called  to  consider  what  was  best  to  be 
done.  I  thought,  and  so  announced,  that  a  desperate  onset  upon  the 
right  of  the  enemy's  forces,  on  the  ground  where  we  had  attacked  them 
in  the  morning,  might  result  in  the  extricating  of  a  considerable  pro- 
portion of  the  command  from  the  position  we  were  in,  and  this  opinion 
I  understood  to  be  concurred  in  by  all  who  ■vrere  present ;  but  it  was 
likewise  agreed,  with  the  same  unanimity,  that  it  would  result  in  the 
slaughter  of  nearly  all  who  did  not  succeed  in  effecting  their  escape. 
The  question  then  arose,  Avhether  in  point  of  humanity  and  a  sound 
military  policy,  a  course  should  be  adopted  from  which,  the  probabili- 
ties were  that  the  larger  proportion  of  the  command  would  be  cut  to 
pieces  in  an  unavailing  fight,  against  overwhelming  numbers.  I  un- 
derstood the  general  sentiment  to  be  adverse  to  the  proposition.  I  felt 
that  in  this  contingency,  whilst  it  might  be  questioned  whether  I  should, 
as  commander  of  the  army,  lead  it  to  certain  destruction  in  an  unavail- 
ing fight,  yet,  I  had  a  right  individually  to  determine  that  I  would 
not  survive  a  surrender  there.  To  satisfy  both  propositions,  I  agreed 
to  hand  over  the  command  to  Brigadier  General  Buckner,  through 
Brigadier  General  Pillow,  and  to  make  an  effort  for  my  own  extrica- 
tion by  any  and  every  means  that  miglit  present  themselves  to  me.  I, 
therefore,  directed  Colonel  Forrest,  a  daring,. and  determined  oflicer,  at 
the  head  of  an  efficient  regiment  of  cavalry,  to  be  present  for  the 
purpose  of  accompanying  me  in  what  I  supposed  would  be  an  effort  to 
pass  through  the  enemy's  lines.  I  announced  the  fact,  upon  turning 
the  command  over  to  Brigadier  General  Buckner,  that  I  would  bring 
away  with  me,  by  any  means  I  could  command,  my  own  particular  ■ 
brigade,  tlic  propriety  of  which  was  acquiesced  in  on  all  hands.  This, 
by  various  modes  I  succeeded  in  accomplishing  to  a  great  extent,  and 
would  have  brought  off  my  whole  command,  in  one  way  or  anotlfer,  if 
I  had  had  the  assistance  of  the  field  officers,   who  were  absent  from 


f>n 


several  of  the  regiments.  The  command  was  turned  over  to  Brigadier 
General  Buckner,  Avho  at  once  opened  negotiations  with  the  enemy, 
which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  the  place.  Thus  ended  the  con- 
flict, running  through  four  days  and  four  nights  ;  a  large  portion  of 
which  time  it  Avas  maintained  with  the  greatest  fierceness  and  obstinacy; 
in  which  we,  with  a  force  not  exceeding  13,000,  a  large  portion  of 
whom  were  illy  armed,  succeeded  in  resisting  and  driving  back  with 
discomfiture,  an  army  consisting  of  more  than  50,000  men.  I  have 
no  means  of  accurately  estimating  the  loss  of  the  enemy.  From  what 
I  saw  upon  the  battle  fdd,  from  what  I  witnessed  throughout  the 
whole  period  of  the  conflict,  from  what  I  was  able  to  learn  from  sources 
of  information,  deemed  by  me  worthy  of  credit,  I  have  no  doubt  that 
the  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  reached  a  number  beyond 
5,000  (five  thousand.)  Our  own  losses  Avere  extremely  heavy,  but  for 
want  of  exact  returns,  I  am  unable  to  state  precise  numbers.  I  think 
they  will  not  be  far  from  fifteen  hundred,  killed  and  wounded.  Noth- 
ing could  exceed  the  coolness  and  determined  spirit  of  resistance 
which  animated  the  men,  in  this  long  and  perilous  conflict ;  nothing 
could  exceed  the  determined  couraorc  which  characterized  them  throuii'h- 
out  this  struggle,  and  nothing  could  be  more  admirable  than  the  steadi- 
ness Avhich  they  exhibited  until  nature  itself  Avas  exhausted,  in  what 
they  knew  to  be  a  desperate  fight  against  a  foe  very  many  times  their 
superior  in  numbers.  I  cannot  particularize  in  this  report  to  you,  the 
numberless  instances  of  heroic  daring,  performed  by  both  officers  and' 
men,  but  must  content  myself  for  the  present,  by  saying,  in  my  judg- 
u>cnt,  they  all  deserve  well  of  the  country. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 
Brigadier  General,  Commanding. 


SUrPLEMENTAL     REPORT     OF     BRIGADIER     GENERAL 

FLOYD. 


Knoxville,  Tennessee,  ) 
March  20,  1862.      J 


11.  P.  Brewster, 

A.  A.   General 


Sir — Your  communication  of  the  IGth  instant,  from  Decatur, 
Tcacbed  me  here  to-day,  where  I  .came  in  compliance  "vvith  an  order 
from  Major  General  Smith,  who  felt  his  position  endangered  from  the 
advance  of  the  enemy. 

In  that  communication  you  say:  *'  Under  date  of  March  the  1 1th, 
the  Secretary  of  "War  say& :  '  The  reports  of  Generals  P'loyd  and  Pil- 
low are  unsatisfactory,  and  the  President  directs  that  both  these  Gen- 
erals be  relieved  from  command  till  further  orders.'  He  further  di- 
rects General  Johnston  '  in  the  meantime  to  request  them  to  add  to 
their  reports  such  statements  as  they  may  deem  proper  on  the  follow- 
ing points : 

'  1st.  The  fjiilurc  to  give  timely  notice  of  J;he  insufficiency  of  the 
garrison  of  Fort  Donelson  to  repel  attack. 

'  2d.  The  failure  of  any  attempt  to  save  the  army,  by  evacuating  the 
post,  when  found  to  bo  untenable. 

*  3.  Why  they  abandoned  the  command  to  their  inferior  officer,  in- 
stead of  executing  themselves  whatever  measure  was  deemed  proper 
for  the  entire  army. 

*  4th.  "What  was  the  precise  mode  by  which  each  effected  his  escape 
from  the  post,  and  what  dangers  were  encountered  in  the  retreat. 

*  5th.  Upon  what  principle  a  selection  was  made  of  particular 
troops,  being  certain  regiments  of  the  senior  General's  Brigade,  to 
whose  use  all  the  transportation  on  hand  was  appropriated. 

^  *  6th.  A  particular  designation  of  the  regiments  saved  and  the  re- 
giments abandoned,  which  formed  part  of  the  senior  general's  brigade.' 
In  obedience  to  this  order,  I  am  directed  by  General  Johnston  to 
request  your  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  President  in  these 
particulars,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  and  forward  the  report  to 
these  headquarters.  ♦ 


27 

Under  tbe  same  direction  General  JoLnston  has  required  a  report 
from  Colonel  Forrest,  detailing  particularly  the  time  and  manner  of 
his  escape  from  Fort  Donclson,  the  road  he  took,  the  number  of  ene- 
mies he  met  or  saw  in  making  his  escape,  and  the  difficulties  which 
existed  to  prevent  the  remainder  orf  the  army  from  following  the  route 
taken  by  him  in  his  escape  with  his  command." 

I  give  at  once  the  additional  information  which  seems  to  be  asked 
for  in  the  communication  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  which  you  refer. 

The  first  charge  is  as  follows  : 

**The  failure  to  give  timely  notice  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  garri- 
son of  Fort  Donelson  to  repel  attacks. 

I  presume  the  General  knew,  before  I  was  ordered  to  Fort  Donel- 
son, that  neither  the  works  nor  the  troops  sent  there  could  withstanri 
the  force  which  he  knew  the  enemy  had  in  hand,  and  wiiich  could  be 
brought  speedily  to  that  point.  I  knew  perfectly  well  that  if  the 
whole  force  under  General  Johnston's  command  at  Bowling  Green  had 
been  sent  to  Fort  Donelson,  it  would  prove  utterly  insufficient  to  re- 
pel the  advance  of  the  enemy  up  the  Cumberland  river.  General 
Johnston's  entire  force,  including  the  troops  at  Donelsoii,  as  I  under- 
stood it,  did  not  exceed  thirty  thousand  (30,011(1)  men.  I  knew  wha-t 
I  believe  every  body  else  did,  for  it  was  made  public  through  the  news- 
papers, that  the  enemy  had  in  Kentucky  alone  one  hundred  and  nine- 
teen (119)  regiments,  and  that  he  had  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  many 
at  Cairo,  St.  Louis  and  the  towns  near  the  mouth  of  the  Cumberland. 
It  was  also  known  that  the  enemy  had  unlimited  means  of  transporta- 
tion for  concentrating  troops,  llow  then  was  it  possible  for  General 
Johnston's  whole  army  to  meet  that  force,  which  was  known  to  be 
moving  towards  the  mouths  of  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  rivers? 
The  sequel  proved  that  this  information  was  correct,  for  not  only  were 
the  troops  occupying  Kentucky  sent  up  the  Cumberland,  biu  large 
additions  were  made  to  them  from  Missouri  and  Illinois,  as  stated  by 
prisoners  and  by  the  official  reports  of  th(jir  own  commanders.  I 
could  not,  under  a  sense  of  duty,  call  for  reinforcements,  because  the 
force  under  General  Johnston  was  not  strong  enough  to  afford  a  suffi- 
cient number  to  hold  the  place.  I  consider  the  place  illy  chosen,  out; 
of  position,  and  entirely  indefensible  by  any  reinforcements  which 
could  be  brought  there  to  its  support.  It  had  but  thirteen  guns,  oni 
it  turned  out  that  but  three  of  these  were  effective  against  iron-clad 
steamers.  I  thought  the  force  already  there  sufficient  for  sicrifico,  as 
well  as  enougli  to  hold  the  ])lace  until  Bowling  Green  could  be  evacu- 
ated with  its  supplies  and  munitions  of  war.  This  I  supposed  to  be 
the  main  object  of  the  movement  to  Donelson,  and  the  only  good  that 
could  be  effected  by  desperately  holding  that  post  with  the  entirely 
inadequate  means  in  hand  for  defence  of  the  Cumberland  and  Tonnes- 
see  rivers. 

With  a  less  force  than  fifty  thousand  (50,000)  men,  tfie  position  at 
Fort  Donclson  was,  in  my  judg4jent,  quite  untenable,  and  even  with 
that  force  it  could  have  been  held  for  only  a  short  time,  unless  a  force 
of  twenty  thousand  (20,000)  men  was  supporting  it  at  Clarksviile, 
and  twenty-five  thousand  (25,000)  more  at  least  had  been  stationed  at 


23 

Nashville.  While  these  were  my  own  views  and  opinions,  I  nevertbe- 
lesB  transmitted  to  General  Johnston  the  exacc  state  of  affairs  at  the 
fort  at  every  stage  of  the  conflict. 

My  views  and  opinions  upon  the  defence  of  Fort  Donclson,  and  the 
means  of  extricatino;  the  army  fron>  the  trap  in  which  necessity  had 
tluown  them  there,  had  been  set  forth  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the 
General  from  Clarksville  before  I  received  orders  to  go  to  Fort  Don- 
clson, bearing  date  12th  of  February.     I  annex  a  copy  of  that  letter. 

Clarksville,  TENN.,Feb.  12,  1862. 

General  Johnston  : 

;SiR  : — There  is  but  little  known  satisfactorily  of  the  enemy  or  their 
movements  ;  up  to  10  o'clock  last  night  all  was  quiet  as  usual  at  the 
Fort.  General  Buckncr  is  now  there.  I  have  thought  the  best  dis- 
position to  make  of  the  troops  on  this  line  was  to  concentrate  the  main 
force  at  Cumberland  City — leaving  at  l^'ort  Donelson  enough  to  make 
a-Il  possible  resistance  to  any  attack  which  may  be  made  %ipon  the  Forty 
but  no  more.  The  character  of  the  country  in  the  rear  and  to  the  left 
of  the  Fort  is  such  as  to  make  it  dangerous  to  concentrate  our  whole 
force  there  ;  for,  if  their  gun-boats  should  pass  the  Fort  and  command 
the  river,  our  troops  would  be  in  danger  of  being  cut  off  by  a  force 
from  the  Tennessee.  In  this  event,  their  road  would  be  open  to  Nash- 
ville, without  any  obstruction  whatever.  The  position  at  Cumberland 
City  is  better ;  for  there  the  railroad  diverges  from  the  river  which 
■would  afford  some  little  facility  for  transportation  in  case  of  necessity; 
and  from  thence  the  open  country  southward  towards  Nashville  is 
easily  reached.  Besides,  from  that  point  we  threaten  the  flank  of  any 
force  sent  from  the  Tennessee  against  the  Fort.  I  am  making  every 
possible  eQ'ort  to  concentrate  the  forces  here  at  Cumberland  City.  I 
have  been  in  the  greatest  dread  ever  since  I  reached  this  place  at  their 
scattered  condition.  The  force  is  inadequate  to  defend  a  line 
of  forty  miles  in  length  which  can  be  attacked  from  three  differ- 
ent directions.  We  can  only  be  formidable'  by  concentration.  A 
strong  guard- is  all  that  can  be  left  here,  and  this  no  longer  than  your 
movement  can  be  made.  I  shall  begin  to-day,  if  the  engineers  report 
favorably,  to  blockade  the  river  at  the  piers  of  the  railroad  bridge.  I 
have  taken  up  an  idea  that  a  "raft,"  secured  against  this  bridge,  can  ren- 
der the  river  impassable  for  the  gun-boats.  If  this  is  possible,  it  will 
be  an  immense  relief  to  the  movements  above.  I  am  quite  sure  this 
blockade  can  be  made  at  a  lower  stage  of  water ;  but  the  present  stage 
of  water  renders  this  experiment  somewhat  doubtful,  still  I  will  make 
every  exertion  to  effect  the  blockade,  if  possible.  I  received  by  tele- 
graph your  authority  to  make  any  disposition  of  the  troops  which  in 
™y  judgment  Avas  best,  and  acknowledged  it  by  a  dispatch  immediate- 
ly.    I  am  acting  accordinjrlv. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 
Brigadier  Gemral,  C.  S.  A. 


29 

Cii-ARGE  2nd. — *'  The  failure  of  any  attempt  to  save  the  Army  by  evacu- 
ating the  post  when  found  to  he  unttnable. 

I  have  been  unfortunate  if  I  have  failed  to  show  in  mj  report  of  the 
battle  at  Fort  Donelson  that  the  fight  on  the  i  5th  of  February,  out- 
side of  our  intrenchmcnts,  was  nothing  but  an  "  attempt  to  save  the 
army  by  evacuating  the  Fort,"  which  the  position  and  numbers  of  the 
enemy  had  already  rendered  untenable.  In  ray  report  of  the  27th  of 
February,  I  attempted  to  explain  why  we  left  our  entrenchments  on 
the  15th  to  give  battle,  and  the  object  I  had  in  view  in  doing  so.  I 
said  '' I  had  already  seen  the  impossibility  of  holding  out  for  any 
length  of  time  with  our  inadequate  numbers  and  indefensible  position. 
There  was  no  place  in  our  entrenchments  but  could  be  reached  by  the 
enemy's  artillery  from  their  boats  or  their  batteries.  It  was  but  fair 
to  infer  that  whilst  they  kept  up  a  sufficient  fire  upon  our  entrench- 
ments, to  keep  our  men  from  sleep  and  prevent  repose,  their  object 
-was  merely  to  give  time  to  pass  a  column  above  us  on  the  river,  both 
on  the  right  and  the  left  banks  and  thus  to  cut  off  all  our  communi- 
cations and  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  egress.  I  then  saw  clearly 
that  but  one  course  was  left  by  which  a  rational  hope  could  be  enter- 
tained of  saving  the  garrison  or  a  part  of  it.  That  was  to  dislodge 
the  enemy  from  his  position  on  our  left  and  thus  to  pass  our  people 
into  the  open  country  lying  southward  towards  Nashville." 

Upon  the  failure  of  this  enterprise,  the  causes  of  which  are  fully 
set  forth  in  my  report,  it  obviously  became  impossible  to  "  save  the 
army  by  evacuating  the  post;"  the  "attempt"  to  save  the  army  had 
been  made.  I  thought  then,  and  still  think,  that  a  more  earnest  "  at- 
tempt" could  not  be  made  by  an  equal  number  of  men  to  accomplish 
any  enterprise  by  force  of  arms.  To  extricate  the  army,  then,  in- 
volved the  necessity  of  another  battle  that  night,  more  desperate  than 
that  of  the  morning,  because  the  enemy  had  been  greatly  reinforced, 
and  held  their  former  position  with  fresh  troops.  There  is  such  a 
thing  as  human  exhaustion,  an  end  of  physical  ability  in  man  to  march 
and  fight ;  however  little  such  a  contingency  may  seem  possible  to 
those  who  sleep  quietly  upon  soft  beds,  who  fare  sumptuously  every 
day,  and  have  never  tried  the  exposure  of  protracted  battles  and  hard 
campaigns.  This  point  had  been  reached  by  our  men  ;  the  conflict, 
toil,  and  excitement  of  unsuspended  battle,  running  through  eighty- 
four  hours,  was  enough  to  wear  out  the  physi<;al  strength  of  any  men  ; 
especially  so,  Avhen  the  greater  part  of  the  time  they  were  exposed  to 
a  storm  of  sleet,  snow,  and  continued  frost,  and  opposed  to  a  force 
five  or  six  times  greater  than  their  own,  without  shelter  or  fire.  Many 
of  the  men  had  been  frost-bitten  ;  and  a  great  many  were  so  overcome 
by  fatigue  and  want  of  sleep  as  to  be  unable  to  keep  open  their  eyes 
standing  on  their  feet,  in  the  face  and  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

In  fact  the  men  were  totally  out  of  condition  to  fight.  There  were 
but  two  roads  by  which  it  was  possible  to  retire.  If  they  went  by  the 
upper  road  they  would  certainly  have  a  strong  position  of  the  enemy 
to  cut  through,  besides  having  to  march  over  the  battle  field  strewYi 
with  corpses;  and  if  they  retired  by  the  lower  road  they  would  have 
to  wade  through  water  three  feet  deep;  which  latter  .ordeal  the  medi- 


30 

cal  director  stated  would  be  death  to  more  than  half  of  the  command 
on  account  of  the  severity  of  the  weather  and  their  physical  prostra- 
tion. It  was  believed  in  council  that  the  array  could  not  retire  with- 
out sacrificing  three-fourths  of  it.  The  consultation  which  took  place 
amonj^  the  officers  on  the  night  of  the  15th  was  to  ascertain  whether 
a  further  struggle  could  be  maintained,  and  it  was  resolved  in  the 
negative  unconditionally  and  emphatically.  General  Buckner,  whose 
immediate  command  was  the  largest  in  the  fort,  was  positive  and  un- 
equivocal in  his  opinion  that  thj  fight  could  not  be  renewed.  I  con- 
fess 1  was  myself  strongly  influenced  by  this  opinion  of  General 
Buckner;  for  I  have  not  yet  seen  an  officer  in  whose  superior  milita- 
ry ability,  clear  discriminating  judgment,  in  whose  calm  unflinching 
courage  and  unselfish  patriotism  I  more  fully  confide  than  in  his.  The 
loss  to  the  Confederacy  of  so  able,  brave  and  accomplished  a  soldier 
in  irreparable. 

From  my  own  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  tlie  men,  I  thought 
that  but  few  of  them  were  in  condition  to  encounter  a  night  conflict. 
So  the  plan  of  renewing  the  battle  was  abandoned  ;  and  thus  the  ne- 
cessity of  surrender  was  presented.  All  agreed  that  the  necessity 
existed.  That  conclusion  having  been  reached,  nothing  remained  but 
to  consider  the  manner  of  it;  and  that  is  fully  set  forth  in  my  former 
report. 

The  third  charge  is,  *'  why  they  abandoned  the  command  to  their 
interior  officer,  instead  of  executing  themselves  whatever  measure  was 
deemed  proper  for  the  entire  army." 

The  "  abandonment  of  command"  here  imputed,  I  suppose  to  mean 
the  act  of  transferring  to  General  Buckner,  who  was  willing  to  exe- 
cute it,  the  performance  of  the  formalities  of  surrender.  The  sur- 
render was  a  painful  and  inexorable  necessity  which  could  not  be 
avoided,  and  not  a  "  measure  deemed  proper  for  the  entire  army." 
On  the  contrary,  my  proposition  to  take  away  as  large  a  portion  of 
the  forces  as  possible  met,  I  am  sure,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
whole  council.  One  of  the  reasons  which  induced  me  to  make  this 
transfer  to  General  Buckner  was  in  order  that  I  might  be  untrammeled 
in  the  eff'ort,  I  was  determined  to  make  to  extricate  as  many  of  the 
command  as  possible  from  the  fort,  to  which  object  I  devoted  myself 
(luring  tlie  night  of  the  15th.  So  that  I  accomplished  the  fact  of 
bringing  ofl"  troops  from  the  position,  I  thought  little  of  the  mann'r  of 
doing  so.  All  possibility  of  further  fighting  was  over.  Not  another 
gun  was  to  be  fired,  no  personal  risk  Avas  to  be  incurred,  certain  and 
absolute  freedom  from  all  personal  danger  was  secured  to  those  who 
surrendered;  further  danger,  conflict  and  toil  could  befall  those  only 
who  should  attempt  to  escape  and  those  I  chose  to  lead, 

Nothing  was  to  be  done  by  those  who  remained  but  to  hoist  the  white 
flag,  and  to  surrender.  This  I  would  not  do,  for  the  ''  measure"  of 
surrender  had  not  been  thought  of  by  myself  or  any  officer  present  in 
the  council  as  one  proper  for  the  "  entire  army,"  I  supposed  it  to 
bo  an  unquestionable  principle  of  military  action,  that  in  case  of  dis- 
aster it  is  better  to  save  a  part  of  a  command  than  to  lose  the  whole. 
The  alternative^roposition  which  I  adopted  in  preference  to  surrcn- 


31 

dering  the  "  entire  army,"  was  to  make  my  way  out  of  the  beleagured 
camp  with  such  men  as  were  still  able  to  make  another  struggle,  if  it 
could  be  accomplished;  and  if  it  could  not  be,  then  to  take  any  con- 
sequences that  did  not  involve  a  surrender. 

The  fifth  charge  is,  "upon  what  principle  a  selection  was  made  of 
particular  troops,  being  certain  regiments  of  the  senior  General's  bri- 
gade, to  whose  use  all  the  transportation  on  hand   was  appropriated." 

The  answer  to  this  charge  leads  directly  to  that  of  the  fourth,  and 
I  therefore  respond  first  to  this.  I  presume  it  is  well  established  that 
a  senior  general  can  select  any  troops  under  his  command  for  any 
service  or  purpose  or  plan  he  may  choose  to  execute  ;'  and  if  the  means 
were  offered  of  extricatiuT  only  a  portion  of  men  from  a  general  sur- 
render, I  presume  the  selection  of  this  portion  would  rest  with  him 
rather  than  with  any  other  person  or  persons.  This  would  be  a  suffi- 
cient answer  to  the  charge  in  question,  if  I  chose  to  rely  upon  it, 
which  I  do  not.  My  real  answer  I  will  give  fully.  It  is  untrue  that 
*'  all  the  transportation  on  hand  was  appropriated  to  certain  regiments 
of  the  senior  General's  brigade."  It  is  untrue  that  a  selection  was 
made  of  **  particular  troops."  I  am  sure  that  quite  as  many  men  be- 
longing to  other  brigades  were  provided  with  **  means  of  escape,"  **  by 
the  transportation  on  hand,"  as  were  of  the  senior  General's  brigade. 

Late  at  night  it  was  ascertained  that  two  steamboats  would  probably 
reach  the  landing  before  day-light.  Then  I  determined  to  let  Colonel 
Forrest's  cavalry  proceed  on  their  march  by  the  river  road,  which  was 
impassable  for  anything  but  cavalry,  on  account  of  the  back  water 
and  over-flow,  whilst  I  would  remain  behind  and  endeavor  to  g  Jt  away 
as  many  men  as  possible  by  the  boats.  The  boats  came  a  thort  time 
before  day-light,  when  I  hastened  to  the  river  and  began  to  ferry  the 
men  over  to  the  opposite  shore  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

The  men  were  taken  on  indiscriminately  as  they  came  to  the  boats; 
but  in  the  first  instance  more  of  the  *'  Senior  General's  Brigade"  were 
present  than  of  other  troops,  from  this  circumstance,  namely :  That 
when  I  determined  not  to  surrender,  I  caused  my  brigade  to  be  drawn 
up  in  line  and  to  await  my  final  preparation  for  a  forward  movement. 
This  was  promptly  done,  and  as  they  were  nearest  the  left  flank  where 
the  fight  would  first  begin,  so  likewise  were  they  nearest  to  the  river 
landing.  From  this  circumstance,  it  happened  that  the  troops  from 
my  immediate  command  Averc  among  the  first  to  enter  the  boats;  but 
all  the  men  from  all  portions  of  the  army,  who  were  present  nnd  could 
be  gotten  on  board,  were  taken  indiscriminately  as  far  as  I  had  any 
knowledge.  No  man' of  the  army  was  excluded  to  make  room  for  my 
brigade.  On  the  contrary,  all  who  came  were  taken  on  board,  until 
some  time  after  day-light,  when  I  received  a  message  from  General 
Buckner  that  any  further  delay  at  the  wharf  would  certainly  cause 
the  loss  of  the  boat  with  all  on  board.  Such  was  the  Avant  of  all  order 
and  discipline  by  this  time  on  shore,  that  a  wild  rush  was  made  at  the 
boat,  which  the  captain  said  would  swamp  her  unless  he  pushed  off 
immediately.  This  was  done,  and  about  sunrise  the  boat  on  which  I 
was  (the  other  having  gone)  left  the  shore  and  steered  up  the  river. 
By  this  "  precise  mode  "  I  effected  my  "  escape,"  and  after   leaving 


32 

the  wharf,  the  Department  will  be  pleased  to  hear,  that  I  encountered 
no  dangers  whatever  from  the  enemy. 

I  had  announced  in  council  my  determination  to  take  my  own  brigade 
and  attempt  a  retreat ;  and  this,  I  presume,  is  what  is  referred  to  in 
the  charge  of  **  selecting  certain  regiments  of  the  Senior  General's 
Brigade."  I  "selected"  this  command,  because  they  had  been  with 
me  in  the  most  trying  service  for  seven  months,  had  been  repeatedly 
under  fire,  had  been  exposed  to  every  hardship  incident  to  a  campaign, 
had  never  on  any  occasion  flinched  or  faltered,  had  never  uttered  a 
complaint;  and  I  knew  Avere  to  be  relied  on  for  any  enterprise  that 
could  be  accomplished.  In  announcing  this  intention,  it  was  far  from 
my  purpose  to  exclude  any  troops  who  might  think  proper,  or  might 
be  physically  able,  to  join  me  in  making  the  movement. 

The  sixth  charge  is,  "a  particular  designation  of  the  regiments 
saved,  and  the  regiments  abandoned,  which  formed  part  of  the  Senior 
General's  BHgade." 

My  l)rigade  consisted  of  the  3Gth  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers, 
the  5()th  llcgiment  Virginia  Volunteers,  the  51st  Regiment  Virginia 
Volunteers,  the  56th  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers,  and  the  20th 
Regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers.  No  one  of  these  regiments  was 
either  wholly  saved  or  wholly  left.  I  could  obtain  no  reports  from 
regiments  until  I'  arrived  at  Murfreesboro'.  There  our  morning  re- 
ports show  the  aggregate  of  each  regiment  present  respectively  to 
have  been  of  the  36th  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers,  243 ;  50tK 
Regiment  A^irginia  A^olunteers,  285;  51st  Regiment  Virginia  Volun- 
teers, 274;  56th  Regiment  Virginia  A'^olunteers,  184;  the  2l)th  Reg- 
iment Mississippi  Volunteers,  handed  in  no  report  at  Murfreesboro', 
and  what  there  was  of  it  Avas  ordered  away  by  GeneralJohnston  ;  but 
I  am  informed  that  their  morning  report  Avill  show  over  three  hundred 
(3UU)  as  present.  These  reports  Avere  made  before  those  who  had  been 
ferried  over  the  river  at  Donelson  had  come  up. 

A  considerable  number  of  men  from  each  of  these  regiments  Avere 
**  saved,"  and  many  of  each  were  left  behind.  Of  my  own  brigade,  a 
great  many  avIio  Avere  left  eftected  their  escape  by  every  means  they 
could  command,  and  joined  their  regiments  and  companies,  except  the 
20th  Regiment  Mississippi  Volunteers,  which,  by  General  Johnston's 
order  Avere  detached  and  sent  home  to  recruit.  This  regiment,  at  the 
last  accounts  I  had  of  it,  immediately  after  the  fight  of  Fort  Donel- 
son,  numbered,- as  already  stated,  about  three  hundred  (300)  men;  but 
I  have  no  accurate  information  on  the  subject.  The  loss  I  felt  most 
seriously,  was  that  of  my  three  artillery  companies  of  Virginia  troops, 
so  remarkable  for  their  efficiency  and  real  gallantry,  Avho  had  folloAved 
me  so  faithfully  throughout  my  service  in  Virginia,  and  Avho  fought 
.80  bravely  during  the  Avhole  of  the  trying  conflict  at  Donelson. 
I  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  serA'ant, 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 
[Copy.]  Brig.  General,  C.  S.  A. 

Peter  Otet, 

A.  A.  General.. 


REPORT  OF   BRIGADIER  GENERAL  PILLOW. 


.        / 

Columbia,  Tennessee,      ) 
February  18,  1862.  \ 

Captain  Clarence  Derrick, 

Assistant  Adjutant   General: 

On  the  9th  instant,  General  A.  S.  Johnston  ordered  me  to  proceed 
to  Fort  Donelson  and  take  command  of  that  post.  On  the  lOth  in- 
stant I  arrived  at  that  place.  In  detailing  the  operations  of  the  forceS' 
under  my  command  at  Fort  Donelson,  it  is  proper  to  state  the  condi- 
tion of  that  work,  and  of  the  forces  constituting  the  garrison. 

When  I  arrived,  I  found  the  Avork  on  the  river  battery  unfinished;,, 
and  wholly  too  weak  to  resist  the  force  of  heavy  artillery.  I  found  a 
10-inch  columbiad,  and  a  32  pound  rifled  gun,  which  had  not  been 
mounted.  Deep  gloom  was  hanging  over  the  command,  and  the 
troops  were  greatly  depressed  and  demoraliSied  by  the  circumstances 
attending  the  surrender  of  Fort  Henry,  and  the  manner  of  retirilQg 
from  that  place.  My  first  attention  was  given  to  the  necessity  of 
strengthening  this  work,  and  mounting  the  two  heavy  guns,  and  the 
construction  of  defensive  works  to  protect  the  rear  of  the  river  bat- 
tery. 

I  imparted  to  the  work  all  the  energy  which  it  was  possible  to  do, 
working  day  and  night  with  the  whole  command.  The  battery  was 
without  a  competent  number  of  artillerists,  and  those  who  were  there 
were  not  well  instructed  in  tlie  use  of  their  guns.  To  provide  for 
this  want,  I  placed  the  nrtillery  companies  under  active  course  of 
instruction  in  the  use  of  their  guns.  I  detailed  Captain  Ross,  with 
his  company  of  light  artillery,  to  the  command  of  one  of  the  river 
batteries.  These  heavy  guns  being  mounted  and  provision  made  for 
working  them,  and  a  proper  supply  of  ammunition  having  been  pro- 
curjd  by  my  orders  from  Nashville,  I  felt  myself  prepared  to  test  the 
effect  of  the  fire  of  heavy  metal  against  the  enemy's  gun-boats,  though 
the  work  stood  much  in  need  of  more  heavy  pieces. 

Tbe  armament  of  the  batteries  consisted  of  eight  32  pounders,  thres 
32  poun<l  carronadcs,  one  8-inch  columbiad,  and  one  rifle  gun  of  32 
pounds  calibre. 

The  selection   for  the   site   for  the  work  was   an  unfortunate   one. 
3 


34 

While  its  commnud  of  the  river  was  favorable,  the  site  was  commandccl 
by  the  heights  above  and  below  the  river,  and  by  a  continued  range  of 
h'illsall  around  tlic  works  in  its  rear.  A  field  work  of  very  contracted 
dimensions,  had  been  constructed  for  the  garrison  to  protect  the  bat- 
tery, but  the  field  works  were  commanded  by  the  hills  already  refer- 
red to,  and  lay  open  to  a  fire  of  artillery  from  every  direction  except 
from  the  hills  below.  To  guard  against  the  effect  of  fire  of  artillery 
from  these  heights  a  line  of  defensive  works,  consisting  of  rifle-pits, 
and  abatis  for  infantry,  detached  on  our  right  but  continuous  on  our 
left,  with  defences  for  light  artillery,  were  laid  off  by  Colonel  Gilmer, 
engineer  of  General  A,  S.  Johnston's  staflf  but  on  duty  with  me  at  the 
post,  around  the  rear  of  the  battery,  and  on  the  heights  from  which 
artillery  could  reach  our  battery  and  inner  field  work,  enveloping  the 
inner  field  work  and  the  town  of  Dover,  where  our  supplies  of  com- 
missary and  quartermaster  stores  were  in  depot. 

These  works,  pushed  with  the  utmost  possible  energy,  were  not 
quite  complete,  nor  were  my  troops  all  in  position,  though  nearly  so, 
when  ]irigadier  General  Floyd,  my  senior  oiScer,  reached  that  station. 
The  works  were  laid  off  with  great  judgment  and  skill  by  Major 
"Gilmer,  were  well  executed,  and  designed  for  the  defence  of  the  rear 
^vork — the  only  olyection  being  to  the  length  of  the  line,  which, 
however,  was  unavoidable  from  the  surroundings.  The  length  of  the 
line  and  the  inadequacy  of  the  force  for  its  defence,  was  a  source  of 
embarrassment  throughout  the  struggle,  which  subsequently  ensued 
in  defence  of  the  position. 

I  had  placed  Brig.  Gen.  Buckner  in  command  of  the  right  wing,  and 
General  B.  K.  Johnson  on  the  left.  By  extraordinary  efforts  we  had 
barely  got  these  works  in  defensible  condition,  when  the  enemy  made 
an  advance  in  force  around  and  against  the  entire  line  of  outer  works. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  TRENCHES. 

The  assault  was  commenced  by  the  enemy's  artillery  against  the  cen- 
tre of  our  left  wing,  which  was  promptly  responded  to  by  Captain 
Green's  batter}'  of  field  artillery.  After  several  hours  of  firing  be- 
tween the  artillery  of  the  two  armies,  the  enemy's  infantry  advanced 
to  the  conflict,  all  along  the  line,  which  was  kept  up  and  increased  in 
violence  from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other,  for  several  hours, 
when,  at  last,  the  enemy  made  a  vigorous  assault  against  the  right  of 
■our  left  wing — the  position  assaulted  being  defended  by  Colonel  llei- 
man's  (being  a- height)  brigade,  consisted  of  the  lOth  Tennessee,  un- 
der command  of-  Lieutenant  Colonel  McGavock,  Colonel  Voorhies', 
Colonel  Hughes'  and  Colonel  Head's  regiments  Tennessee  Volunteers, 
And  defended  by  Captain  Maney's  field  battery. 

The  assault  was  vigorously  made,  and  the  position  vigorously  de- 
fended, and  resulted  in  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  here  and  everywhere 
around  the  line.  The  result  of  the  day's  work  pretty  well  tested  the 
strength  of  our  defensive  line,  and  established,  beyond  question,  the 
gallantry  of  the  eniirc  command,  all  of  which  fought  gallantly  their 
portion  of  the  line. 


35 

The  loss  sustained  by  our  forces  in  this  engagement  was  not  large, 
iQur  men  being  mostly  under  shelter  in  the  rifle  pits,  but  we.  never- 
theless, had  quite  a  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  but  owing  to  the 
continued  fighting  that  followed,  it  was  impossible  to  got  any  official 
4iccount  of  the  casualties  of  the  day. 

On  the  same  day  our  battery  on  the  river  was  engaged  with  one  of  the 
-enemy's  gun-boats,  which  occasicned  quite  a  lively  cannonading  for 
more  than  an  hour,  in  which  the  gallant  Captain  Dixon,  of  the  engineer 
'Corps,  was  killed  instantl^'^  at  the  battery.  This  officer  had  been  on 
duty  for  some  time  {inonths)  at  the  post,  and  had  shown  great  energy 
and  professional  skill,  and,  by  his  gallant  bearing  on  that  day,  while 
directing  the  operations  of  the  day  under  my  orders,  had  justly  earned 
for  himself  high  distinction.  His  death  was  a  serious  loss  to  the  ser- 
vice, and  was  a  source  of  no  little  embarrassment  to  our  operations. 

On  the  12th  we  had  quiet,  but  Ave  saw  the  smoke  of  a  large  number 
of  gun-boats  and  steamboats  a  short  distance  below,  wo  also  received 
reliable  information  of  the  arrival  of  a  large  number  of  ncvf  troops, 
greatly  increasing  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  forces,  already  said  to 
be  from  20,000  to  30,000  strong, 

BATTLE    WITH    TMF.    GUN-BOATS. 

On  the  I3th,  these  reinforcements  were  seen  advancing  in  thoir 
position,  in  the  line  of  investment,  and  while  this  was  being  done,  six  of 
the  enemy's  iron-cased  gunboats  were  seen  advancing  up  the  river,  five  of 
which  were  abreast  and  in  line  of  battle,  the  sixth,  some  distance  in 
the  rear.  When  these  gitn-boats  arrived  within  a  railc-and-a-half  of 
our  battery,  th<?y  opened  fire  on  the  battery.  My  orders  to  the  officers. 
Captain  Shuster  and  Capt.  Standewita,  who  commanded  the  lower  bat- 
tery of  light  guns,  and  Capt.  Ross,  who  commanded  the  lower  battery 
of  four  guns,  were  to  hold  their  fire  until  the  enemy's  gun-boats 
came  within  point  blank  range  of  their  guns.  This  the^  did,  though 
the  ordeal  of  holding  their  fire,  while  the  enemy's  shot  and  shell  fell 
thick  around  their  position,  was  a  severe  restraint  to  their  patriotic 
impulses  ;  but  nevertheless,  our  batteries  ninde  no  response  until  tlie 
enemy's  gun-boats  got  within  range  of  their  guns.  Our  entire  line 
of  batteries  then  opened  fire.  The  guns  of  both  were  well  served.  The 
enemy  constantly  advancing,  delivering  direct  fire  against  our  batte- 
ries from  his  line  of  five  gun-boats,  while  the  sixth  boat,  moving  up 
in  rear  of  the  line,  kept  the  air  filled  with  shells,  which  fell  thick  and 
close  around  the  position  of  our  batteries.  The  fight  continued,  the 
enemy  steadily  advjKicing  slowly  up  the  river,  the  shot  and  shell  from 
15  heavy  rifled  guns  tearing  o\ir  parapets  and  plunging  deep  in  the 
earth  around  and  over  our  batteries  for  nearly  two  ho.ira,  and  until 
his  boats  had  reached  within  the  distance  of  150  yards  of  our 
batteries. 

Having  come  in  such  clo-e  conflict,  I  could  see  distinctly  the  effect, 
of  our  shot  upon  his  iron-cased  boats.  We  had  given  one  or  two  well 
directed  shots  from  tiie  heavy  guns  to  one  of  his  boats,  when,  ho  in- 
stantly shrunk  back,  and    drifted    helplese    below  tho  line.     Several 


S6 

shots  struck  anotlier  boat,  tearing  her  iron  case,  splintering  her  tim- 
bers, an«l  making  them  crack,  as  if  bj  a  stroke  of  lightning,  when 
she  too,  fell  back. 

Then  a  third  received  several  severe  shocks,  making  her  metal  ring 
ai>d  her  timbers  crack,  when  the  whole  line  gave  way,  and  fell  rapidly 
back  from  our  fire  until  they  passed  out  of  range.  Thus  ended  the 
first  severe  and  close  conflict  of  our  guns — our  heavy  guns — with  the 
enemy's  gun -boats,  testing  their  strength  and  the  power  of  our  heavy 
guns  to  resist  them. 

The  shot  from  our  32-pounder  guns  produced  but  little  effect ;  they 
struck  and  rebounded,  apparently  doing  little  damage.  But  I  am  sat- 
isfied, bv  close  observation,  that  the  timbers  of  the  frame-work,  did  not 
and  could  not  withstand  the  shock  of  the  lO-inch  columbiad  or  32- 
pounder  rifled  guns.     These  gun-boats  never  renewed  the  attack. 

I  learned  from  citizens  living  on  the  river  below,  that  one  of  the 
injured  gun-boats  sunk,  and  that  others  had  to  be  towed  to  Cairo. 
This  information  may,  or  may  not,  be  true,  but  it  is  certain  that  all  of 
the  boats  were  repulsed  and  driven  back,  after  a  most  vigorous  and 
determined  attack,  and  that  two  of  the  boats  were  badly  damaged,  and 
a  third  more  or  le?s  injured. 

It  is  difficult  to  over-estimate  the  gallant  bearing  and  heroic  con- 
duct of  the  officers  and  men  of  our  batteries,  who  so  well  and  so  per- 
sistently fought  the  guns,  until  the  eriemy's  determined  advance 
brought  gun-boats  and  guns  into  such  close  and  desperate  conflict. 
Where  all  did  their  duty  so  well,  it  is  impossible  to  discriminate.  The 
Captains  already  named,  and  their  Lieutenants,  (whose  names  for 
want  of  official  reports,  I  cannot  give,)  all  'deserve  the  highest  com- 
mendation. 

Lieut.  George  S.  Martin,  whose  company  is  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  but 
who  was  ordered  to  that  post  by  Major  General  Polk,  commanded  one 
of  the  gunSj  and  particularly  attracted  my  attention  by  his  energy  and 
the  judgment  with  which  he  fought  his  gun. 

The  wadding  of  his  gun  having  given  out,  ho  pulled  off  his  coat 
and  rammed  it  down  his  gun  as  wadding,  and  thus  kept  up  the  fire 
until  the  enemy  were  finally  repulsed. 

On  the  evening  of  this  day,  Ave  received  information  of  the  arrival 
of  additional  reinforcements  of  infantry,  cavalry,  ami  light  artillery, 
by  steamboat,  all  of  which  were  disembarked  a  short  distance  below 
our  position. 

BATTLE    OF    UOVliR. 

On  the  14th  inst,,  the  enemy  were  busy  throwing  his  forces  of 
every  arm  around  us,  extending  his  line  of  investment  entirely  around 
our  position,  and  completely  enveloping  us.  On  the  evening  of  this 
day,  we  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  recoivod  additional  reinforce- 
ments. We  were  now  surrounded  by  an  immense  force,  said  by  pris- 
oners whom  we  had  taken,  to  amount  to  52  regiments,  and  every  road 
and  means  of  possible  departure  cut  off,  with  the  certainty  that  our 
sources  of  supply,  by  river,  would  soon  be  cut  off  by  the  enemy's 
batteries,  placed  upon  the  river  above  us. 


2.7 

At  a  meeting  of  General  officers,  called  by  Gen.  Floyd,  it  was  de- 
termined unanimously  to  give  the  enemy  battle  next  day,  at  day-light, 
so  as  to  cut  open  a  route  of  exit  for  the  troops  to  the  interior  of  the 
country,  and  thus  save  our  army.  We  had  knowledge  that  the  prin- 
cipal portion  of  the  enemy's  forces  were  massed  in  encampments  in 
front  of  the  extreme  left  of  our  position  commanding  the  two  roads, 
leading  to  the  interior,  one  of  whicli  we  must  take,  in  retiring  from 
our  position.  We  knew  we  had  massed  in  encampment,  another  large 
force  on  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  opposite  the  centre  of  our  left  wing, 
while  still  another  Avas  massed  nearly  in  front  of  the  right  of  our  left 
wing  His  fresh  arrival  of  troops  being  encamped  on  the  banks  of 
the  river  two  and-a-half  miles  below  us,  from  which  latter  encamp- 
ment a  stream  of  fresh  troops  were  constantly- pouring  around  us,  on 
his  line  of  investment  and  strengthening  his  several  encampments  on 
the  extreme  right.  In  each  of  his  encampments,  and  in  each  road  he 
had  in  position,  a  battery  of  field  artillery,  and  24-pounder  iron  guns 
on  siege  carriages. 

Between  these  eflcampments  on  the  road  was  a  thick  undergrowth  of 
brush  and  black  jack,  making  it  impossible  to  advance  or  nianouvre 
any  considerable  body  of  troops.  The  plan  cf  attack  agreed  upon 
and  directed  by  General  Floyd  to  be  executed,  was  that  with  tlie  main 
body  of  the  forces  defending  our  left  wing.  I  should  attack  the  right 
wing  of  the  enemy,  occupying  and  resting  on  the  heights  reaching  to 
the  banks  of  the  river,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Forrest's  brigade  of 
cavalry. 

That  General  Buckner,  with  the  forces  under  his  command,  and  de- 
fending the  right  of  our  line,  should  strike  the  enemy's  encampments 
and  forces  on  the  Wynn's  Ferry  road.  That  the  forces  under  Colonel 
Ileiman,  should  hold  his  position,  and  that  each  command  sliould  leave 
in  the  trenches,  troops  to  hold  the  trenches.  By  this  order  of  battle, 
it  was  easy  to  be  seen,  that  if  my  attack  was  successful,  and  the  ene- 
my was  routed,  his  retreat  would  be  along  his  line  of  investments,  to- 
wards the  Wynn's  Ferry  encampment,  and  thence  towards  his  reserve 
at  the  gnn-boats  below. 

In  other  words,  my  success  would  rell  the  enemy's  force  in  full  re- 
treat over  upon  General  Buckncr,  when,  by  his  attack  in  flank  and 
rear,  we  could  cut  up  the  enemy  and  put  hira  completely  to  rout. 

Accordingly,  dispositions  wei-e  made  to  attack  the  enemy.  At  5 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  1.5th,  I  moved  out  of  my  position  to  en- 
gage the  enemy.  In  less  than  half  an  hour,  our  forces  were  engaged. 
The  enemy  was  prepared  to  receive  me  in  advance  of  his  encampment, 
and  he  did  receive  me  before  I  had  assumed  a  line  of  battle,  and  while 
I  was  moving  against  them,  Avithout  any  formation  for  the  engagement. 
For  the  first  half  hour  of  the  engagement,  I  was  much  embarrassed 
in  getting  the  command  in  a  position  properly  to  engage  the  enemy. 
Having  extricated  myself  from  the  position  and  fairly  engaged  the 
enemy,  we  fought  him  for  nearly  two  hours  before  I  made  any  decided 
advance  upon  him.  The  loss  of  both  armies  on  this  portion  of  the 
field  was  heavy'.  The  enemy's  particularly  so,  as  far  as  I  tlincovered 
by  riding  over  the  field  after  the  battle.     The    enemy  having  been 


38 

forced  to  yield  tliis  portion  of  the  field,  retired  to  the  Wynn's  Ferrj 
road,  Buckner's  point  of  attack,  lie  did  not  retreat,  but  fell  back, 
fighting  us  and  contesting  every  inch  of  ground. 

The  tight  was  hotly  contested  and  stubborn  on  both  s'des,  and  con- 
sumed the  day  till  12  o'clock,  to  drive  the  enemy  as  far  back  as  the 
centre,  where  General  Buckner's  command  was  to  flank  him.  While- 
my  command  was  slowly  advancing  and  driving  back  the  enemy,  I  was 
expecting  to  hear  General  Buckner's  command  open  fire  in  his  rear. 
I  was  apprehensive  of  some  misapprehension  of  orders,  and  came  from 
the  field  of  battle  within  the  work  to  ascertain  what  was  the  matter. 
I  there  found  the  command  of  General  Buckncr  massed  behind  the 
ridge  within  the  work,  taking  shelter  from  the  enemy's  artillery  on 
■iie  \\"ynn's  Ferry  road,  it  having  been  forced  to  retire  before  the 
battery  as  I  learned  from  him.  My  force  was  still  slowly  advancing, 
driving  the  enemy  forward  towards  the  battery.  I  directed  General 
Buckncr  immediately  to  move  his  command  round  the  rear  of  the 
battery,  turning  its  left,  keeping  in  the  hollow  and  attack  and  carry 
it.  Before  the  movement  was  executed,  my  forces  forming  the  attack- 
ing party  on  the  right,  with  Colonel  Forrest's  regiment  of  cavalry, 
gallantly  charged  a  large  body  of  infantry,  supporting  the  battery, 
driving  it,  and  forcing  the  battery  to  retire,  taking  six  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, four  brass  pieces  and  two  24-pounder  iron  pieces. 

In  pursuing  the  enemy,  falling  back  from  this  position,  General 
Buckner's  forces  became  united  with  mine  and  engaged  the  enemy  in 
a  hot  contest  of  nearly  an  hour,  with  fresh  troops  that  had  now  met 
na.  This  position  of  the  enemy  being  carried  by  our  forces,  I  called 
olf  the  fiirther  pursuit  after  seven  and  a  half  hours  of  continuous  and 
bloody  conflict.  After  the  troops  were  called  off  from  the  pursuit, 
orders  were  immediately  given  to  the  different  commands  to  form  and 
retire*  to  the  original  position  in  the  entrenchments.  The  operations 
of  the  day  had  forced  the  enemy  around  to  our  right  and  in  front  of 
General  JJuckncr's  position  in  the  entrenchments,  and  Avhcn  ho 
reached  his  position,  he  found  the  enemy  rapidly  advancing  to  take 
possession  of  his  portion  of  our  works.  Ho  had'a  stubborn  conflict, 
lasting  one  hour  and-a-half,  to  regain  his  position,  and  the  enemy 
actually  got  possession  of  the  extreme  right  of  his  works  and  held  them 
so  firmly,  that  he  could  not  dislodge  them.  The  position  thus  gained 
by  the  enemy  was  a  most  important  and  commanding  one,  being  im- 
mediately in  front  of  our  river  batteries  and  our  field  work  for  its  pro- 
tection. 

From  it,  he  could  readily  turn  the  entrenched  work  occupied  by 
General  Buckner,  and  attack  in  reverse,  or  he  could  advance  under 
cover  of  an  intervening  ridge  directly  upon  our  battery  and  field 
work.  While  the  enemy  held  this  position,  it  was  manifest  vre  could  not 
hold  the  main  work  or  battery. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  two  armies  at  night-fall,  after  nine 
hours  of  conflict  on  the  15th  instant,  in  which  our  loss  was  severe, 
leaving  not  less  than  1, ()()()  of  the  enemy  dead  on  the  field.  We  left 
upon  the  field  all  his  Avounded  because  we  could  not  remove  them. 
Such  carnage  and  conflict  never  perhaps  has  before  occurred  on  this 
.continent.  We  took  about  30i)  prisoners  and  a  large  quantity  of  arms. 


S9 

Wa  had  fought  the  battle  to  open  our  way  for  our  army  and  to  re- 
lieve us  from  an  investment  which  would  necessarily  reduce  us  and 
the  position  we  occupied  by  famine.  We  had  accomplished  our  ob- 
ject, but  it  occupied  the  whole  day,  and  before  we  could  prepare  to 
leave  after  taking  in  the  wounded  and  the  dead,  the  enemy  had  thrown 
around  us  again  in  the  night,  an  immense  force  of  fresh  troops  and 
re- occupied  his  original  position  in  the  line  of  investment,  thus  again 
cutting  off  our  retreat.  We  had  only  about  13,000  troops  all  told. 
Of  these  we  had  lost  a  large  proportion  in  the  three  battles.  The  com- 
mand had  been  in  the  trenches  night  and  day  for  five  days,  exposed 
to  snow,  sleet,  mud,  and  ice  and  water,  without  shelter,  without  ade- 
quate covering  and  without  sleep. 

In  this  condition,  the  General  Officers  held  a  consultation  to  deter- 
mine what  we  should  do.  General  Buckncr  gave  it  as  his  decided 
opinion,  that  he  could  not  hold  his  position  half  an  hour  against  an 
assault  of  the  enemy,  and  said  he  was  satisfied  the  enemy  would  attack 
him  at  daylight  the  next  morning.  The  proposition  was  then  made  by 
the  undersigned  again  to  fight  our  way  through  the  enemy's  line,  and 
cut  our  way  out.  General  Buckner  said  his  command  was  so  worn 
out,  and  cut  to  pieces,  and  so  demoralized,  that  he  could  not  make 
another  fight;  that  it  would  cost  three  fourths  its  present  numbers 
to  cut  its  way  out ;  that  it  was  wrong  to  sacrifice  three-fourths  to  save 
one-fourth  ;  that  no  officer  had  a  fight  to  cause  such  a  sacrifice.  Gcn- 
ral  Floyd  and  Major  Gilmer,  I  understood  to  concur  in  this  opinion. 
I  then  expressed  the  opinion  that  we  could  hold  out' another  day,  and 
in  that  time  we  could  get  steamboats,  and  set  the  command  over  the 
river,  and  probably  save  a  portion  of  it.  To  this,  General  Buckner 
replied  that  the  enemy  would  certainly  attack  him  in  the  morning,  and 
that  he  could  not  hold  his  position' half  an  hour.  The  alternative  of 
these  propositions  Avas  surrender  of  the  position  and  command.  Gen- 
eral Floyd  said  he  would  not  surrender  the  command,  nor  would  he 
surrender  himself  prisoner.  I  had  tfvken  the  same  posicion.  General 
Buckner  said  he  was  satisfied  nothing  else  could  be  done,  and  that, 
therefore,  he  would  surrender  the  command  if  placed  in  command. 
General  Floyd  said  he  would  turn  over  the  command  to  me,  I  passing 
it  to  General  Buckner,  if  General  Floyd  would  be  permitted  to 
withdraw  his  command.  To  this  General  Buckner  consented. 
Therefore,  the  command  was  turned  over  to  me,  I  passing  it  instantly 
to  General  Buckner,  saying  I  would  neither  surrender  the  command 
or  myself.  I  directed  Colonel  Forrest  to  cut  his  way  out.  Under  these 
circumstances  General  Buckner  accepted  the  command,  and  sent  a  flag 
of  truce  to  the  enemy  for  an  armistice  of  six  hours,  to  negotiate  for 
terms  of  capitulation.  Before  this  flag  and  communication  was  deliv- 
ered, I  retired  from  the  garrison.  Before  closing  my  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  army  at  Donclson,  I  must  in  justice  to  the  officers 
and  commands  under  my  immediate  command  say,  that  harder  fighting 
or  more  j^Jilhint  bearing  in  offipcrs  and  men,  I  have  never  witnessed. 
In  the  absence  of  official  reports  of  brigade  and  regimental  comman- 
ders, of  which  I  am  deprived  by  the  circumstances  detailed  in  this  re- 
port, I  may  not  be  able  to  do  justice  to  the  different  corps.     I  will 


40 

say,  ho'.vcver,  tliat  the  forces  under  my  immediate  command,  during 
this  action,  bore  themselves  with  gallantry  throughout  the  long  and 
bloody  conflict.  I  speak  with  especial  commendation  of  the  brigades 
commanded  by  ColoneFs  Baldwin  and  Wharton,  McCausland,  Simon- 
ton  and  Drake,  and  of  Captain  Maney  and  Green,  who  fought  their 
guns  under  the  constant  and  annoying  fire  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters, 
and  of  the  concentrated  fire  of  his  field  batteries,  from  Avhich  both  com- 
mands suffered  severely.  Captain  Maney  was  himself  wounded,  so 
were  Captain's  Porter  and  Graves.  If  I  should  hereafter  receive  the 
reports  of  regimental  and  brigade  commanders,  giving  me  detailed  in- 
formation of  the  conduct  and  bearing  of  officers  and  men,  I  will 
make  a  supplemental  report.  The  absence  of  official  reports  deprives 
me  of  the  means  of  giving  lists  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  dif- 
ferent commands.  I  am  satisfied  that  in  such  a  series  of  conflicts  our 
loss  was  heavy.  I  know  the  enemy's  was,  from  passing  over  the  fieW  of 
battle,  in  the  morning  immediately  after  the  battle,  in  company  with 
General  Floyd.  His  loss  in  killed  was  terrible,  exceeding  any  thing 
I  had  ever  seen  on  a  battle  field.  Oar  total  force  in  the  field  did  not 
exceed  10,000  men,  while  from  what  I  saw  of  the  enemy's,  and  from 
information  derived  from  prisoners  of  theirs,  we  are  sure  he  had  be- 
tween 30  and  40,0(10  men  in  the  field. 

I  mu.st  acknowledge  many  obligations  to  Major  Gilmer,  engineer, 
for  especial  and  valuable  services  rendered  me  in  the  laying  oflf  the 
works,  and  the  energy  displayed  by  him  in  directing  their  construc- 
tion, and  for  his  council  and  advice.  I  likewise  acknowledge  my  obli- 
gations to  Captain  Gus.  A.  Henry,  Jr.,  my  A.  A.  General,  and  Colonel 
John  C.  Barch,  my  Aid-de-Camp;  to  Major  Field,  to  Lieutenant  Nich- 
olson, to  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Masten  and  Colonel  Brandon,  my  vol- 
unteer Aid-de-Camp ;  to  Major  Hays,  my  Assistant  Commissary,  and 
Major  Jones,  my  Assistant  Quartermaster,  for  the  prompt  manner  in 
which  they  executed  my  orders  under  trying  circumstances,  throughout 
the  long  and  continued  conflicts,  and  to  Major  Gilmer  who  accompanied 
me  to  the  field,  and  was  on  duty  with  me  during  the  entire  day.  Also, 
to  Captain  Parker  of  ray  staff,  whom  I  assigned  to  the  command  of 
Captain  Ross's  field  battery,  with  new  recruits  as  gunners ;  and  he 
fought  and  served  them  well.  The  conduct  of  these  officers,  coming 
under  my  immediate  observation,  met  my  hearty  approval  and  commen- 
dation. Colonel  Brandon  was  severely  wounded  early  in  the  action. 
Colonel  Baldwin's  Brigade  constituted  the  front  of  the  attacking  force, 
sustained  immediately  by  Colonel  Wharton's  Brigade. 

These  two  brigades  deserve  especial  commendation  for  the  manner 
in  which  they  sustained  the  first  shock  of  the  battle.  I  must  also 
acknowledge  my  obligations  to  Brigadier  General  B.  R.  Johnson,  who 
assisted  me  in  the  command  of  the  forces,  with  which  I  attacked  the 
enemy,  and  who  bore  himself  gallantly  throughout  the  conflict,  but 
having  receivcil  no  official  reports  from  him,  I  cannot  give  the  detail- 
•cd  operations  of  his  command.  I  have  pleasure  in  being  able  to  say 
that  Colonel  Forrest,  whose  command  greatly  distinguished  its  coraman- 
-der,  as  a  bold  and  judicious  officer,  and  reflected  distinguished  honor 
upon  itself,  passed  safely  through  the  enemy's  line  of  investments,  and 


41 

trust  it  will  yet  win  other  honors  in  the  defence  of  our  rights  and  just 

cause  of  our  country. 

GIDEON  J.  PILLOW, 
Brigadier  General,  C.  S.  A, 

(OflBcial,)  John  Withers, 

A.  A.  General. 
A.  &I.  G.  0.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

This  report  was  handed  to  mc  at  Bristol,  East  Tennessee,  by  Colo- 
nel Dobbins,  t»f  Miss.,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Richmond,  but  was  de- 
tained. I  promised  Colonel  Dobbins  to  deliver  it  to  the  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral at  Richmond,  but  when  the  matter  was  mentioned  to  Hon.  J.  P. 
Benjamin,  he  told  me  to  leave  it  in  the  War  Office,  and  to  niitke  the 
above  statement.  Colonel  Dobbins  handed  me  the  paper  on  the  28th 
of  February,  1862,  and  said  it  had  been  given  to  him  by  General  T*illow. 

E.  W    MUNFORD. 


SUITLEMENTAL  RKrORT  OF  GEN.  PILLOW. 

.  •         ./ 

Headquarters  3d  Division, 

Decatur,  Ala.,  March  14,  1863. 
Cd.  W.  W.  Mackall,  A.  A.  General: 

The  position  Tre  occupied  was  invested  on  the  11th  of  February,  by 
ft  force  which  we  estimated  at  about  21), 000  strong.  This  force  had 
approached  us  partly  by  water,  but  mainly  by  land  from  Fort  Henry. 
I  considered  the  force  we  had  suflicicnt  to  repulse  the  assault  of  this 
force.  We  repulsed  every  where  a  vigorous  assault  made  by  our  ene- 
mies against  our  position.  Fresh  troops  continued  to  come  every  day 
by  water  until  the  14th.  We  are  satisfied  the  enemy's  forces  are  not 
short  of  30,000  men.  Our  impressions  of  his  strength  were  confirm- 
ed by  prisoners  we  had  taken  on  that  day. 

This  evening  the  enemy  landed  \o  steamboat  loads  of  fresh  troops. 
It  Avas  now  manifest  that  we  could  not  long  maintain  our  position 
against  such  overwhelming  numbers.  I  was  satisfied  the  last  troops 
were  of  Gen.  Buell's  command.  We  felt  the  want  of  reinforcements 
but  we  did  not  ask  for  them,  because  we  knew  they  were  not  to  be  had. 
I  had  just  come  from  Bowling  Green,  and  heard  that  Gen.  Johnston 
could  not  spare  a  man  from  his  position.  lie  had,  in  fact,  already  so 
weakened  himself,  that  he  could  not  maintain  his  position  against  a 
vigorous  assault.  Under  these  circumstances,  deeming  it  utterly  use- 
less to  apply  for  reinforcements,  we  determined  to  make  the  best  pos- 
sible defence  we  could  with  the  force  in  hand.  Our  investment  by  a 
force  of  30,000  men  on  the  14th  being  completed,  and  the  enemy  on 
that  evening  having  received  13  boat  loads  of  fresh  troops,  a  council 
of  General  officers  was  convened  by  Gen.  Floyd,  at  which  it  was  de- 
termined to  give  the  battle  at  day  flight  next  day,  so  as  to  cut  oft' the 
inventing  force,- if  possible,  before  the  fresh  troops  Avere  in  position. 
In  that  council  I  proposed  as  a  plan  of  attack,  that  with  the  force  in 
the  entrenchments  of  our  left  wing,  and  Col.  Hanson's  regiment,  of 
Gen.  Buckner's  division,  I  should  attack  the  enemy's  main  force,  on 
his  right,  and  if  successful,  that  would  roll  the  enemy  on  his  line  of 
investments,  to  a  point  opposite  Gen.  Buckners  position,  where  he 
would  attack  him  in  flank  and  rear,  and  drive  him  with  our  united 
commands,  back  upon  his  encampments  at  the  river.  To  this  propo- 
sition, so  far  from  allowing  me  to  leave  Col.  Hanson's  regiment.  Gen. 
Buckuer  objected.  I  waived  the  point  saying,  I  only  asked  the  assist- 
ance of  that  regiment,  because  my  portion  of  the 'labor  Avas,  by  far, 
the  greatest  to  be  performed,  and  that  upon  my  success  depended  the 


43 

fortunes  of  th'o  day,  and  that  a  very  large  portion  of  tlie  troops  I  had 
to  fight  were  fresh  troops  and  badly  armed. 

Gen.  Buckner  then  proposed  as  a  modification  of  ray  plan  of  battle, 
that  he  should  attack  the  enemy  simultaneously  with  me,  that  his  at- 
tack should  be  against  the  position  of  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  where 
he  had  a  battery  nearly  opposite  the  middle  of  the  left  Aving,  and  that 
he  would  thus  lessen  the  labors  of  my  command,  and  strike  the  ene- 
my in  a  material  point.  To  this  modification  I  agreed,  as  an  improve- 
ment upon  my  proposed  plan.  In  carrying  out  this  plan,  thus  agreed 
upon,  it  became  proper  for  Col.  Ileiman's  brig;idc  to  maintain  its  posi- 
tion in  the  line,  otherwise  the  enemy  might  turn  the  right  of  Gen. 
Buckner's  position,  take  his  forces  on  the  right  flank,  and  thus  defeat 
our  success.  It  was  arranged  accordingly.  Gen.  Floyd  approved  this 
plan  of  battle,  and  ordered  that  it  should  bo  carried  out  next  morning 
by  day-light.  I  then  sent  for  all  the  commanders  of  brigade;?,  to  ex- 
plain to  them  our  situation  (being  invested),  our  purpose,  our  plan  of 
battle,  and  to  assign  to  each  brigade  its  position  in  my  column,  all  of 
which  was  done,  and  I  gave  orders  to  have  my  whole  force  under  arms, 
at  four  and-a-half  o'clock,  and  to  be  ready  to  march  out  of  our  works 
precisely  at  five  o'clock. 

At  four  o'clock  I  was  with  my  command,  all  of  which  were  in  posi- 
tion, except  Col.  Davison's  brigade,  none  of  which  were  present,  I 
immediately  directed  Gen.  B.  II,  Johnson,  who  was  present,  and  to 
■whose  immediate  command.  Col.  Davison's  brigade  belonged,  to  dis- 
patch officers  for  that  brigade,  and  to  ascertain  the  causes  of  delay.  IIo 
did  so.  I  likewise  sent  several  officers  of  my  staff  on  the  same  duty. 
Both  sets  of  ofiicersraade  the  same  report,  viz:  Col,  Davison  ha<l  fail- 
ed to  give  any  orders  to  the  Colonels  of  his  command,  and  that  Col. 
D.  was  sick.  It  is  proper  to  state,  he  was  complaining  of  being  sick 
when  the  orders  were  received.  The  instruction  to  the  brigade  com- 
manders were  given  about  two,  o'clock  that  morning.  My  command 
was  delaye'd  in  its  adva/.ce  about  half-an-hour,  by  the  necessity  of 
bringing  up  the  brigade. 

My  column  was  finally  ready  and  put  in  motion  about  1 5  minutes  after 
five  o'clock.  I  moved  with  the  advance,  and  directed  Gen.  B.  R.  John- 
son to  bring  up  the  rear.  The  command  of  Col,  Davison's  brigade 
devolved  upon  Col.  Simouton,  which,  owing  to  the  reasons  already 
stated,  was  brought  into  column  in  the  rear,  and  into  action  last,  un- 
der Gen.  Johnson,  to  whose  report,  for  its  good  behaviour  on  the  field, 
I  particularly  refer,  having,  in  my  original  report,  omilte<l  to  state  its 
position  on  the  field.  Many  of  these  incidents  not  deemed  essential 
to  the  proper  understanding  of  the  main  features  of  the  battle  of  the 
12th  of  February,  were  omitted  in  my  original  report,  but  are  now 
given  as  parts  of  its  history.  In  my  original  report,  t  gave  the  after 
operations  in  the  battle  of  the  1.5th  February,  and  shall  now  pass  over 
all  the  events  occurring  until  the  council  of  General  officers,  held,  on  the 
night  of  the  1 5th.  The  lodgment  of  the  enemy's  force,  in  the  rifle- 
pits  of  Gen,  Buckner's  extreme  right,  late  on  the  evening  of  the  15th 
February,  induced  Gen.  Floyd  to  call  a  meeting  of  General  officers 
at  headquarters  that  night. 


44 

We  had  fought  the  battle  of  the  15th  to  open  the  way  through  the 
enemy's  line  of  investments,  to  retire  to  the  interior.  The  battle  had 
occujiied  the  day.  We  were  until  12  o'clock  that  night  burying  the 
dead.  At  about  1  o'clock,  we  had  all  the  commanders  of  regiments 
and  brigades  assembled  and  given  orders  to  the  entire  command,  to 
be  under  arras  at  4  o'clock  to  march  out  on  the  road  leading  towards 
Charlotte,  I  had  given  instruction  to  Major  Hays,  my  commissary, 
and  Major  Jones,  my  quartermaster,  immediately  after  our  evacuation 
of  the  place,  to  burn  ail  the  stores.  About  3  o'clock,  (perhaps  a  lit- 
tle earlier)  we  received  intelligence,  from  tlie  troops  in  the  trenches, 
that  they  heard  dogs  barking  around  on  the  outside  of  our  lines,  and 
the  enemy,  they  thought,  were  reinvesting  our  position.  General 
Floyd  immediately  directed  me  to  send  out  scouts  to  ascertain  the  fact. 
This  duty  was  performed.  When  the  scouts  returned,  they  reported 
the  enemy  in  large  force  occupying  his  original  position,  and  closing 
up  the  routes  to  the  interior.  Not  being  satisfied  with  the  truth  of 
the  report,  I  directed  Colonel  Forrest  to  send  out  a  second  set  of 
scouts,  and  at  the  same  time  directed  him  to  send  two  intelligent  men 
up  tlic  bank  of  the  river,  to  examine  a  valley  of  overflown  ground, 
laying  to  the  rear  and  right  of  the  enemy's  position,  and  if  the  val- 
ley of  overflown  ground  could  be  crossed  by  infantry  and  cavalry,  and 
to  ascertain  if  the-  enemy's  forces  reached  the  river  bank.  The  one 
set  of  scouts  returned  and  confirmed  the  previous  reports,  viz:  Thtt 
the  woods  were  full  of  tlie  enemy,  occupying  his  former  position  in 
great  numbers.  The  scouts  sent  up  the  river  to  examine  the  overflow, 
reported  that  the  overflown  valley  was  not  practicable  for  infantry, 
that  the  soft  mud  was  about  half  leg  deep,  that  the  water  was  about 
saddle  skirts  deep  to  the  horses,  and  that  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
drift  in  the  way.  We  then  sent  for  a  citizen,  whose  name  is  not  re- 
membered, said  to  know  that  part  of  the  country  well,  and  asked  his 
opinion.     He  confirmed  the  reports   of  the   river  scouts. 

In  addition  to  the  depth  of  the  water,  the  weather  was  intensely 
cold,  many  of  the  troops  were  frost  bitten,  and  they  could  not  stand 
a  passage  through  a  sheet  of  water.  With  these  facts  before  us,  General 
Floyd,  J3uckncr,  and  myself,  the  two  former  having  remained  at  my 
my  quarters  all  the  intervening  time  held  a  consultation,  when  Gen. 
Floyd  said  :  "  Well  gentlemen,  what  is  now  best  to  be  done  ?"  Neither 
Gen.  Bucknernor  myself  having  ansAvered  promptly,  Gen.  Floyd  re- 
peated liis  enquiry,  addressing  himself  to  me  by  name.  My  reply  was, 
it  was  diflicult  to  determine  what  was  best  to  be  done,  but  that  I  was  in 
favor  of  cutting  our  way  out.  He  then  asked  General  Buckner  what  he 
thought  we  ought  to  do.  General  Buckner  said  his  command  was  so 
broken  down,  so  cut  up,  and  so  demoralized,  he  could  not  make 
another  fight,  tliat  he  thought  we  would  lose  three-fourths  of  the 
command  we  had  already  left,  if  we  attempted  to  cut  our  way  out,  and 
that  it  was  wrong.  No  officer  had  a  right  to  sacrifice  three-fourths  of 
a  commajid,  to  save  the  other  fourth.  That  we  had  fought  the  enemy 
from  the  trenches,  we  had  fought  him  from  his  gun-boats,  and  fought 
our  way  through  his  line  of  investments,  that  we  were  again  invested 
with  an  immense  force  of  fresh  troops,  that  the  army  had  done  all 
duty  and  honor  required  it  to  do,  and  more  was  not  possible. 


45 

General  Floyd  then  remarked  that  his  opinions  coincided  with 
General  Buckner.  Brigadier  General  B.  R.  Johnson,  had  previously 
retired  from  the  council,  to  his  quarters  in  the  field,  and  was  not  pre- 
sent. In  my  original  report,  I  stated  it  was  my  impression,  Major 
Gilmer  was  consulted,  and  concurred  in  the  opinions  of  Generals 
Buckner  and  Floyd,  but  from  subsequent  conversations  with  Major 
Gilmer,  I  learn  from  him  he  had  retired  to  another  room,  and  laid 
down  and  was  not  present  at  this  part  of  the  conference,  and  I  am 
therefore  satisfied,  that  I  was  mistaken  in  the  statements  in  regard  to 
him. 

The  proposition  to  cut  our  way  out  being  thus  disposed  of,  I  re- 
marked that  we  could  hold  our  position  another  day,  and  fight  the 
enemy  from  our  trenches,  that  by  night  our  steamboats  that  had  taken 
oflf  the  prisoners,  and  our  own  wounded  men  would  return,  and  that 
during  the  night  we  could  set  our  troops  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river;  and  that  we  could  make  our  escape  by  (^larksvillc,  and  tlius  save 
the  army.  To  this  proposition  General  Buckner  said,  "  Gentlemen,  you 
know  tlio  enemy  occupy  the  rifle  pits  on  my  right  and  can  easily  turn 
my  position,  and  attack  me  in  the  rear  or  move  down  on  the  river  bat- 
tery. I  am  satisfied  he  will  attack  me  at  day  light,  and  I  cannot  hold 
my  position  half  an  hour."  Regarding  General  Buckner's  reply  as 
settling  this  proposition  in  the  negative,  (for  I  had  quite  enough  to  do 
with  my  heavy  losses  of  the  previous  day,  to  defend  my  own  position 
of  the  lines,  and  I  could  give  him  no  reinforcements,)  I  then  said, 
gentlemen,  if  we  cannot  cut  out,  nor  fight  on,  there  is  no  altcrnativo 
left  us  but  capitulation,  and  I  am  determined  that  1  will  never  sur- 
render the  command,  nor  surrender  myself  prisoner;  I  will  die  first. 
General  Floyd  remarked  that  such  was  his  determination,  and  that  he 
would  die  before  he  would  do  either.  Thereupon  General  Buckner 
remarked,  that  such  determinations  were  personal,  and  that  personal 
considerations  should  never  influence  official  action.  General  Floyd 
said  he  acknowledged  it  was  personal  with  him,  but  nevertheless  it 
was  his  determination.  Whereupon,  General  Buckner  said,  that  being 
satisfied  nothing  else  could  be  done,  if  he  was  placed  in  command,  he 
would  surrender  the  command,  and  share  the  fate  of  the  command. 
Gen.  Floyd  immediately  said,  "  Gen.  Buckner,  if  I  place  you  in  com- 
mand, will  you  allow  me  to  draw  cut  ray  brigade?''  General  Buck- 
ner promptly  replied,  yes,  provided  you  do  so  before  the  enemy  act 
upon  my  communication.  General  Floyd  remarked.  General  Pillow, 
1  turn  over  the  command.  I  replied  instantly,  I  pass  it.  General 
Buckner  said,  I  assume  it;  bring  me  a  bugler,  pen,  ink  and  paper. 
General  Buckner  had  received  pen,  ink  and  paper,  and  sat  down  to 
the  table  and  commenced  writing,  when  1  left  and  crossed  the  river, 
passing  outside  the  garrison,  before  General  Buckner  proposed  his 
communication  to  the  enemy,  and  went  to  Clarksvillc  by  land  on 
horseback.  I  did  not  know  what  he  had  written  until  I  saw  the  pub- 
lished correspondence  with  General  Grant. 

I  may  be  asked  if  I  was  in  favor  of  cutting  my  way  out,  why, 
when  the  command  was  turned  over  to  me  I  did  not  take  it?  My  re- 
ply is,  that,  though  technically  speaking,  the   command  devolved  on 


46 

me  >\lien  turned  over  by  General  Floyd,  it  was  turned  over  to  General 
Buckn^r  in  point  of  fact.  All  parties  so  understood  it.  In  proof  of 
this.  General  Floyd,  under  his  agreement  with  General  Buckner,  ac- 
tually withdrew  a  largo  portion  of  his  brigade,  by  setting  tlieni  across 
the  river  in  the  steamer  General  Anderson,  that  arrived  just  before 
daylight.  In  further  proof  of  this,  I  embody  in  this  report  an  order 
ofGeneral  Buckner  to  General  B.  R.  Johnson,  after  he  had  assumed 
command.     A  copy  of  order: 

IlEADQUARxr.Ks,  DovER,  Fcbniary  16,  1862. 

Sir  :  The  command  of  the  forces  in  this  vicinity  has  devolved  upon 
me  by  order  of  General  Floyd.  I  have  sent  a  flag  to  General  Grant, 
and  (luring  the  correspondence,  and  until  further  orders,  refrain  from 
hostile  demonstrations,  with  a  view  to  prevent  a  like  movement  on  the 
enemv's  part.  You  will  endeavor  to  send  a  flag  to  the  posts  in  front  of 
your  position,  notifying  them  of  the  fact  that  I  have  sent  a  communi- 
cation to  General  Grant  from  the  right  of  our  position,  and  desire  to 
know  his  present  headquarters. 

Respectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  *  S.  B.  BUCKNER, 

•     -  Brigadier   General  C.  S.  A. 

In  addition  to  this.  General  Floyd  was  my  senior,  and  of  high 
character  and  acknowledged  ability.  General  Buckner,  though  my 
junior  in  rank,  possesses  high  reputation  as  an  officer  of  talents  and 
experience.  With  the  judgment  of  both  against  mCj^if  1  had  acted  upon 
my  own  conviction,  and  had  failed  or  involved  the  command  in  heavy 
•loss,  I  was  apprehensive  it  would  be  regarded  as  an  act  of  rashness,  and 
brou-ht  upon  me  the  censure  of  the  Government,  and  the  condemna- 
tion of  the  country.  Besides,  without  their  assistance  in  command, 
and  with  the  moral  weight  of  their  opinions  with  the  troops  against 
the  step,  I  did  not  regard  it  practicabl'e  to  make  a  successful  eftort  to 
cut  out.  1  declined  to  assume  the  command  when  turned  over  by  Genl 
Floyd,  because  it  was  against  my  convictions  of  duty  to  surrender 
the  commaml,  and  under  the  decision  of  Generals  Floyd  and  Buckner, 
(a  majority  of  the  council,)  I  could  do  nothing  but  surrender  it.  It 
is  proper  to  say  that  the  difference  of  oj)inion  between  General  Floyd, 
General  Buckner  and  myself  upon  this  branch  of  the  subject,  con- 
sisted in  this,  viz  :  They  thought  it  would  cost  three-fourths  of  the 
comn.and  to  cut  out.  I  did  not  think  the  loss  wouM  be  so  great.  If 
it  had  been  settled  that  the  sacrifice  would  be  as  much  as  three-fourths, 
I  should  have  agreed  with  them  that  it  was  wrong  to  make  the  at- 
tempt. Again  :  I  believe  we  could  have  maintained  our  position  an- 
other day,  and  have  saved  the  army  by  getting'  back  our  boats  and 
setting  our  command  across  the  river,  but  inasmuch  as  General  Btick- 
ncr  was  of  opinion  that  he  could  not  hold  his  command  more  than  half 
an  hour,  and  I  could  not  possibly  hold  my  own  position  of  the  line,  I 
had  no  alternative  but  to  submit  to  the  decision  of  the  majority  of  my 
brotlior  general  officers.  While  I  thus  differed  with  them  in  opinion, 
I  still  think  I  did  right  in  acquiescing  in  opinion  with  them.     We  all 


47 

agreed  in  opinion  wc  could  not  long  maintain  the  position  against  such 
overwhelming  numbers  of  fresh  troops.  Wc  all  agreed  the  army  had 
performed  prodigies  of  valor,  and  that,  if  possible,  further  sacrifices 
should  bo  avoided.  Men  -will  differ  and  agree  according  to  their  men- 
tal organization.  I  censure  not  their  opinions,  nor  do  I  claim  merit 
for  my  own.  The  whole  matter  is  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the 
Government. 

Since  my  original  report  was  prepared,  I  have  seen  and  read  the 
official  accounts  of  General  Grant  and  Commodore  Foote.  From  these 
I  learn  that  the  damage  done  the  enemy's  gun-boats  on  the  13th,  was 
greater  by  fin*  than  was  represented  by  me  in  my  original  report. 
Four  of  the  enemj^'s  gun-boats  were  badly  disabled,  receiving  over 
100  pliclls  from  our  battery,  many  of  which  went  entirely  through 
from  stejn  to  stern,  tearing  the  frame  of  the  boats  and  machinery  to 
pieces,  and  killing  and  wounding  65  of  their  crews.  Among  them 
was  the  commander  himself.  There  can,  therefore,  be  no  longer  any 
doubt  of  the  vulnerability  of  these  heavy  shots;  but  it  required  a  des- 
perate fight  to  settle  the  question,  and  there  is  danger  that  the  public 
miiid  will  run  from  one  extr.'me  to  the  other,  and  arrive  at  a  conclu- 
Bion  under-valuing  the  power  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats.  In  estimating 
the  loss  inflicted  upon  the  enemy  on  the  15th  February,  I  saw  that 
the  whole  field  of  battle  for  a  mile  and  a  half  was  covered  with  his 
dead  and  wounded,  and  believe  his  loss  could  not  fall  short  of  5,000 
men. 

I  am  satisfied  from  published  letters  from  officers  and  men  of  the 
enemy,  and  from  the  acknowledgments  of  the  Northern  press,  that 
his  I0S3  was  much  greater  than  originally  estimated  in  my  report.  I 
stated  in  my  original  report,  that  after  wc  had  driven  the  eneni}'  from, 
and  captured  his  battery  on  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  and  were  pursuing 
him  around  to  our  right,  and  after  we  had  met  and  overcome  a  fresh 
force  of  the  enemy,  on  the  route  towards  his  gun-boats,  I  called  off  the 
pursuit,  but  in  the  hurry  with  which  that  report  was  prepared,  I 
omitted  to  state  my  reasons  for  so  doing.  I  knew  that  the  enemy  had 
twenty  gun-boats  of  fresh  troops  at  his  landing,  then  only  about  three 
miles  distant;  I  knew  from  the  great  loss  my  command  had  sustained 
during  the  protracted  fight  of  over  seven  hours,  my  command  was  in 
no  condition  to  meet  a  large  body  of  fresh  troojxs,  who  I  had  every 
reason  to  believe  were  then  rapidly  approaching  the  field.  General 
Buckner's  command,  so  far  as  labor  was  concerned,  was  comparatively 
fresh,  but  its  disorganization,  from  being  repulsed  by  the  battery,  had 
unfitted  it  to  meet  and  fight  a  large  body  of  fresh  troops.  I  therefore, 
called  off  the  pursuit,  explaining  my  reasons  to  General  Floyd,  who 
approved  the  order.  This  explanation  is  now  given,  as  necessary  to  a 
proper  un<lcrstanding  of  the  order.  Jt  is  fuither  proper  to  say,  that 
from  the  moment  of  my  arrival  at  Donclsou,  1  had  the  whole  force 
engaged  night  and  day  in  slrengihcniug  my  position,  until  the  fight 
commenced,  and  when  the  fighting  ceased  at  night  it  was  again  at 
work.  I  did  not,  therefore,  and  could  not,  get  a  single  morning  report 
of  the  Ftrcngth  of  my  command. 

The  four   Virginia  regiments  did   not,  I  am  confident,  exceed  350 


48 

each  for  <luty.  The  Texas  regiment  did  not  number  300  men.  Several 
Mississippi  regiments  were  equally  reduced,  -while  those  of  Colonels 
Vorhics,  Abernethy  and  Hughes,  (new  regiments)  were  almost  disband- 
ed by  measles,  and  did  not  exceed  200  each  for  duty.  Colonel  Brow- 
den's  regiment  had  but  60  men,  and  it  was  by  my  order  placed  under 
Captain  Parker  to  work  artillery.  All  others  were  greatly  reduced 
by  wastage.  The  whole  force,  therefore,  was  greatly  less,  than  could 
be  supposed  from  the  number  of  nominal  regiments.  Of  this  force, 
General  Floyd,  under  his  agreement  with  General  Buckner,  before  he 
turned  over  the  command,  drew  out  a  large  portion  of  his  brigade 
(how  many  I  do  not  know,)  by  taking  possession  of  the  steamer  An- 
derson, which  arrived  at  Dover  just  before  day,  and  setting*  them 
across  the  river,  A  large  portion  of  the  cavalry  under  orders  passed 
out.  All  of  the  cavalry  was  ordered  to  cut  out,  and  could  huve  gone 
out  but  for  the  timidity  of  its  officers.  Several  thousand  infantry  es- 
caped one  way  or  another,  many  of  whom  are  now  at  this  place,  and 
all  others  are  ordered  here  as  a  rendezvous  for  re-organization.  From 
the  list  of  prisoners  published  in  Northern  papers,  Avhich  I  have  seen, 
it  required  the  prisoners  of  six  regiments  to  make  nine  hundred  men. 
I  do  not  believe  the  number  of  prisoners  exceeded  that  stated  by  the 
Northern  papers,  Avhich  is  put  at  5,170  privates. 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  15th,  I  had  caused  the  arms  lost  by 
the  enemy  to  be  gathered  up  from  about  half  the  field  of  battle,  and 
had  hauled  and  stacked  up  over  5,000  stand  of  arms,  and  six  pieces  of 
artillery,  all  of  which  were  lost  in  the  surrender  of  the  place  for  want 
of  transportation  to  bring  them  away. 

In  regard  to  the  enemy's  force  with  which  we  we  were  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Dover,  Gen.  Grant,  in  his  official  report,  says  that  he 
had  taken  al)out  fifteen  thousand  prisoners,  that  Gen.  Floyd  and  Bil- 
low had  escaped  with  15,000  men,  and  that  the  forces  engaged  were 
about  equal.  While  the  estimate  of  prisoners  taken,  and  the  number 
with  which  Gen.  Floyd  escaped,  is  wide  of  the  mark,  yet  the  aggregate 
of  the  numbers  as  given  by  himself,  is  30,000,  and  his  acknowledg- 
ments that  the  forces  were  about  equal,  furnishes  conclusive  evidence 
that  we  fought  3i),000  men  ;  the  same  number  given  by  prisoners 
taken.  And  agreeing  with  my  original  estimate  of  his  strength,  Gen, 
Ilalleck,  in  a  telegraphic  dispatch  of  lOth  February  from  St.  Louis 
to  Gen.  McClellaii,  said  "he  had  invested  Fort  Donelsonwith  a  force 
of  5(1,000  men,  and  he  had  no  doubt  all  communication  and  supplies 
were  cut  off."  This  corroborates  Grant's  statements,  for  the  troops 
which  arrived  on  the  14th  and  15th  of  February,  being  20  steamboat 
loads,  had  not  reached  the  battle-field  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  and 
it.  is  prol)able  that  parts  of  those  that  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the 
13th  had  not  reached  it. 

These  sources  make  it  clear,  wc  fought  3i),000  of  the  enemy  on  the 
15th,  and  that  we  were  reinvested  that  night  with  all  the  enemy's  dis- 
posable force,  including  bis  fresh  troops,  cannot  be  doubted.  Nothing 
has  occurred  to  change  my  original  estimate  of  our  loss  in  the  several 
conflicts  with  the  enemy,  at  the  trenches,  with  the  gun-boats,  and  m 
the  battle  of  Dover.     As  to  the   absence  still  of  regiment  and  brigade 


49 

commanders,  it  is  possible  that  I  have  not  done  justice  to  the  officers 
in  my  commands.  To  Brig.  Gen.  Johnson's  report,  wliich  is  herewith 
forwarded,  I  particuhirly  refer  for  the  conduct  of  officers  and  com- 
mands under  his  immediate  obs:>rvation  during  the  battle.  The  forces 
under  my  immediate  command,  in  the  conflict  with  the  enemy's  right, 
did  not  exceed  7,U()0,  though  they  never  faltered,  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  his  position,  slowly  and  steadily  advancing  over  one  and-a-half 
miles,  carrying  the  positions  of  his  first  battery,  and  two  of  his  guns, 
and  of  a  battery  on  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  taking  four  more  guns,  and 
afterwards  uniting  with  Gen.  Buckner's  command,  drove  the  enemy 
back,  sustained  by  a  number  of  fresh  troops. 

Yet,  it  is  manifest  that  the  fruits  of  our  victory  would  have  been 
far  greater,  had  Gen.  Buckner's  column  been  successful  in  its  assault 
upon  the  Wynn's  ferry  road  battery.  Equally  clear,  is  it,  that  the  en- 
emy, eflfecting  a  lodgment  in  Gen.  Buckner's  rifle-pits,  on  his  right, 
brought  the  command  into  extreme  peril,  making  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  take  immediate  action,  in  which  we  were  under  the  necessity 
of  cutting  our  way  out,  or  holding  out  another  day,  and  throwing  the 
command  across  the  river,  or  of  capitulation.  My  own  position  upon 
these  several  propositions,  having  been  explained  more  fully,  and  in 
detail  in  this,  my  supplemental  report,  nothing  more  remains  in  the 
performance  of  my  duty  to  the  Government,  but  to  subscribe  myself,. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  GID.  J.  BILLOW, 

Brig.  Gen.  C.  S.  A. 


NoTF.. — That  there  may  be  no  doubt  of  the  fiicts  stated  in  this  re- 
port, I  append  the  sworn  testimony  of  Col.  Burch,  Col.  Forrest,  Ma- 
jors Henry  and  Ilaynes  and  Nicholson,  to  which  I  ask  the  attention  of 
the  Government 

(Signed)  GID.  J.  BILLOW. 

BH^.  General  C.  S.  A. 


Note. — My  original  estimate  wr.s,  that  our  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded,  was  from  fifteen  hundred,  to  two  thousand.  We  sent  up  from 
Dovor,  1,134  wounded.  A  Federal  Surgeon's  certificate,  which  I  iiave 
8cen,  says  that  there  was  about  4<l()  Confederate  prisoners  wounded  in 
hospital,  at  Baducah,  making  1,534  wounded.  I  was  satisfied  tli£- 
killed  would  increase  the  number  to  2,000. 

4 


COLONEL  BURCirS   STATEMENT. 
(^Rrfcrrid  to  in  the  foregoing.) 


DtCATUR,  Ala.,  ) 
•March   loth,  18G2.       ] 

On  Saturday  evening,  February  loth,  all  of  the  beats  winch  we 
had  at  Doiiclscm  were  sent  uj)  the  river  Avith  our  sick,  wounded  and 
prisoners.  After  supper  a  council  of  officers  was  held  at  Brigadier 
(icneral  Pillows's  headquarters.  1  was  not  present  at  this  council, 
i)ut  during  its  ses.sion,  being  in  an  adjoining  room,  I  learned  from 
Bome  oilicer  that  intelligence  had  been  received  from  scouts  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  thai-  fourteen  of  the  enemy's  transports  were  landing 
reinforcements  one  and  a  half  or  two  miles  below  us  at  their  usual 
place  of  landing.  After  I  had  learned  this,  and  during  the  session  of 
the  same  council,  two  couriers  came  to  Brigadier  General  Buckner — 
one,  and  perhaps  both,  sent  by  (Japtain  Graves,  of  the  Artillery  ;  one 
etating  that  a  large  force  was  foru.ing  in  front  of  our  right  (General 
Buckncr's)  wing ;  the  second  stating  that  large  bodies  of  the  enemy 
were  seeji  moving  in  front  of  our  right,  around  towards  our  left.  Af- 
ter the  adjournment  of  this  council,  about  11  or  12  o'clock,  I  learned 
that  it  Viad  heen  determined  to  evacuate  the  post,  cut  our  way  through 
the  right  wing  of  the  enemy's  investing  force,  and  make  our  way  to- 
wards (charlotte  in  Dixon  county. 

Orders  were  given  for  the  command  to  be  in  readiness  to  march  at 
4  o'clock,  A.  ^L  After  this,  being  in  General  Pillow's  private  room, 
where  (lenerals  Floyd,  Billow  and  Buckner  all  were,  two  scouts  came 
in,  stating  that  the  enemy's  camp  fires  could  be  seen  at  the  same 
•places  in  front  of  our  left  that  they  had  occupied  Friday,  h'rom  ihe 
remarks  of  the  General.^,  this  iufovmation  seemed  to  be  confirmatory 
•of  ii.formati'on  which  they  had  previously  received.  Major  Rice,  an 
•intelligent  citizen  of  Dover,  was  called  in  and  interrogated  as  to  the 
fharacter  of  the  road  to  Charlotte.  Jlis  account  of  it  was  decidedly 
unfilvorablc.  \u.  the  course  of  the  conversation  which  then  followed 
ttinong  the  Generahs — General  Pillow  insisting  upon  carrying  out  the 
previous  determination  of  the  council  to  cut  our  way  out — Brigadier 
iJeneral  Buckner  said  that  such  was  the  exhausted  condition  of  the 
mien,  that,  if  they  should  succeed  in  cutting  their  way  out,  it  would 
fee  at  a  heavy  sacrifice,  and,  if  pursued  by  the  large  cavalry  force  of 
the  enemy,  they  would  be  almost  entirely  cut  to  pieces.  General 
Floyd  concurred  with  (Jeneral  Buckner.  General  Pillow  said:  Then 
we  can  fight  tlum  another  day  in  our  trenches,  and  by  to-morrow  we 


51 

can  have  hoats  cnou^li  here  to  transport  our  troops  across  the  river, 
and  let  them  make  their  escape  to  Clar.ksVill.c.  (icncral  I^ucknor  said :, 
that  such  was  the  position  of  the  enemy  on  his  right,  and  the  demora- 
lization of  his  forces,  from  exposure  and  exhaustion,  that  he  could  nol 
hold  his  trcnc'rics  a  half  an  hour.  As  an  illustration  of  the  correct- 
ness of  his  remark,  he  said  :  **  You,  gentlemen,  know  that  yesterday 
morning  T  considered  the  Second  Kentucky,  (Hanson's  regiment),  as 
good  a  regiment  as  there  was  in  the  service,  yet  such  was  their  con- 
dition yesterday  afternoon  that,  v,\\vn  I  learned  the  enemy  was  in 
their  trenches,  (which  were  to  our  extreme  right,  and  detached  from 
the  ethers)  before  I  could  rally  and  form  them,  T  had  to  take  at  lea.st 
twenty  men  by  the  shoulders,  and  put  them  into  lino  as  a  nucleus  for 
formation."  General  Floyd  concurred  with  General  Buckner  in  hli 
opinion  as  to  the  impossibility  of  holding  the  trenches  longer,  and 
asked:  what  shall  we  do?  General  Buckner  stated  that  no  officer  had 
a  right  to  sacrifice  his  men,  referred  to  our  various  successes  since 
Wednesday,  at  Donelson,  and  concluded  by  saying  that  an  officer  who 
had  successfully  resiste  1  an  assault  of  a  much  larger  force,  and  was 
still  surrounded  by  an  increased  force,  could  surrender  with  honor ; 
and  that  we  had  accomplished  much  more  than  was  required  by  this 
rule.  General  Pillow  said  that  he  never  would  surrender.  General 
Floyd  said:  that  he  would  suffer  any  fate  before  he  would  surren<ler 
or  fall  into  the  han<ls  of  the  enemy  alive.  At  the  suggestion  of  somo 
one  present,  he  said:  that  personal  considerations  influenced  him  in 
coming  to  this  determination,  and  further  stated  that  such  considera- 
tions shoidd  never  govern  a  general  officer. 

Colonel  Forrest,  of  the  cavalry,  who  was  present,  s.-iid:  he  wor.l  I 
die  before  he  Avould  surrender;  that  such  of  his  men  as  would  follow 
him,  he  would  take  out.  General  Floyd  said:  he  v.ould  take  hU 
chances  with  Forrest,  and  asked  General  Buckner  if  he  would  make 
the  surrender?  General  Huckner  asked  him  if  he  fGeneral  Fiiyd) 
would  pass  the  command  to  him  ?  General  Floyd  rcjdicd  in  the  affir- 
mative. I  understood  General  iillow  as  doing  the  same.  Then,  sp.id 
General  Buckner :  I  shall  propose  terms  of  capitulation,  and  askel 
for  ink  and  paper,  and  directed  one  cf  his  staf!"  to  send  for  a  bugler 
and  prepare  white  fiags  to  plant  at  various  points  on  our  works.  I'ro- 
parations  were  immediately  begun  to  be  made  by  General  Floyd  -jnd 
etaff,  General  I'illow  and  staff,  and  Colonel  Forrest,  to  leave.  This 
was  about  3  o'clock,  A.  M.  It  was  suggested  by  some  one  (hat  two 
boats  that  were  known  to  be  corainfr  down  the  river  might  arrive  bc- 
fore  day.  .and  (Jencral  Floyd  a^ed,  if  they  came,  that  ho  might  lv« 
permitted  to  take  off  on  them  his  troops.  General  Buckner  replied 
that  all  might  leave  who  could  before  his  note  was  .-ent  to  General 
Giant,  the  Federal  commander.     Thus  endod  tJic  conference. 

After  this  I  met  or  called  on  General  J'illow  in  the  passage.  an<l 
asked  him  if  there  was  any  possibility  of  a  misunderstanding  a-i  to  liin 
position?  lie  thought  not;  but  I  suggested  to  him  the  propriety  of 
again  seeing  Generals  Floyd  and  Buckner,  and  ece  that  ihore  wa-t  no 
possibility  of  his  position  being  misunderstood  by  them,  lie  said  ho 
would,  and  returnci  to  the  rccui  in  v.hicb  the  conference  was  held. 


52 

In  my  statement  of  what  transpired,  and  of  the  conversations  that 
were  had,  I  do  not  pretend  to  have  given  the  exact  language  used,  and 
I  may  be  mistaken  as  to  the  order  of  the  remarks  that  I  have  endeav- 
ored to  narrate. 

(Signed,)  JOHN  C.  BURCII, 

Aid  to  General  Pillotc. 
Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me  this  15th  day  of  March,  1862. 

LEVI  SUGANS, 
Intendant  of  the  tovm  of  Decatur^  Ala., 
and  ex  offi.  J.  P. 


COL.  FORREST'S  STATEMENT. 
{Referred  to  in  GenercU  Pilloio's  Supplemental  Report.) 


March  15,  1862. 

Between  one  and  two  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  February  16th, 
being  sent  for,  T  arrived  at  General  Pillow's  headquarters,  and  found 
him.  General  Floyd  and  General  Buckncr  in  conversation.  General 
Pillow  told  me  that  they  had  received  information  that  the  enemy 
were  again  occupying  the  same  ground  they  had  occupied  the  morn- 
ing before.  I  told  him  I  did  not  believe  it,  as  I  had  left  that  part  of 
the  field,  on  our  left,  late  the  evening  before.  He  told  me  he  had 
sent  out  scouts  who  reported  large  forces  of  the  enemy  moving  around 
to  our  left.  lie  instructed  me  to  go  immediately,  and  send  two  re- 
liable men  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  a  road  running  near  the  river 
bank,  and  between  the  enemy's  right  and  the  river,  and  also  to  ascer- 
tain the  position  of  the  enemy.  I  obeyed  his  instructions  and  av^aited 
the  retiirn  of  the  scouts.  They  stated  that  they  saw  no  enemy,  but 
could  see  their  fires  in  the  same  place  where  they  were  Friday  night; 
that  from  their  examination  and  from  information  obtained  from  a  citi- 
zen living  on  the  road,  the  water  was  about  to  the  saddle  skirts,  and 
the  mud  about  half  leg  deep  im.  the  bottom  where  it  had  been  over- 
flowed. The  bottom  was  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide,  and  the  water 
then  about  one  hundred  yards  wide.  During  the  conversation  that 
then  ensued  among  the  general  officers,  General  Pillow  was  in  favor 
of  trying  to  cut  our  way  out.  General  Buckncr  said  that  he  could 
not  hold  his  position  over  half  an  hour  in  the  morning,  and-that  if  he 
attempted  to  take  his  force  out,  it  would  be  seen  by  the  enemy  who 
held  part  of  his  entrenchments,  and  be  followed  and  cut  to  pieces.  I 
told  him  that  I  would  take  my  cavalry  around  them  and  he  could  draw 
out  under  cover  of  them.  lie  said  that  an  attempt  to  cut  our  way  out 
would  involve  a  loss  of  three-fourths  of  the  men.  General  Floyd  said 
our  force  was  so  demoralized  as  to  'cause  him  to  agree  with  General 
Buckncr  as  to  our  probable  loss  in  attempting  to  cut  our  way  out.  I 
said  that  I  would  agree  to  cut  my  way  through  the  enemy's  linos  at 
any  point  the  General  might  designate,  and  stated  I  could  keep  back 
their  cavalry,  which  General  Buckncr  thought  would  greatly  harras3 
our  infantry  in  retreat.  General  Buckncr  or  General  Floyd  said  that 
they  (the  enemy)  would  bring  their  artillery  to  bear  on  us.  I  went 
out  of  the  room,  and  when  I  returned  General  Floyd  said  he  could 
not  and  would  not  surrender  himself.    I  then  asked  if  they  were  going 


54 

to  surrender  the  command?  General  Buckner  remarked  that  tliej 
were.  I  then  stated  that  I  had  not  come  out  for  the  purpose  of  sur- 
rendering ray  command,  and  would  not  do  it  if  they  would  follow  mo 
out;  that  I  intended  to  go  out  if  I  saved  but  one  man,  and  then  turn- 
iag  to  General  Pillow.  I  asked  l.im  what  I  should  do?  He  replied  cut 
your  way  out.  I  immediately  left  the  house  and  sent  for  all  the  offi- 
cer.* under  my  command  and  stated  to  them  the  facts  that  had  oc- 
'tiirrcd,  and  stated  my  dolerniination  to  leave,  an<l  ronmrkcd  that  all  who 
>vantod  to  go  could  follow  me,  and  those  who  wished  to  stay  and  take 
the  consequence.''  might  remain  in  camp.  All  of  my  owi>  regiment, 
and  Captain  Willianis,  of  lltdm's  Kentucky  regiment,  said  tliey  would 
go  with  me  if  the  last  man  fell.  Col.  Gautc  was  sent  for  and  urged  to 
get  out  his  hatt;jlion  as  often  as  three  times,  but  he  and  two  Kentucky 
cojipanies  (Captain  Wilcox  and  Captain  Henry,)  refused  to  come.  I 
inari-.hed  out  the  remainder  of  my  command,  with  Captain  I'ortcr's  ar- 
tillery horses,  and  about  two  hundred  men,  of  diifercut  commands,  up 
the  river  road  and  across  the  overflow,  which  I  found  to  be  about  sad- 
dle-skirt deep.  The  weather  was  intensely  cold,  a  great  many  of  the 
men  Averc  already  frost-bitten,  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  Generals 
that  the  infantry  could  not  have  passed  through  th&  water  and  have 
survived  it. 

(Signed,)     •  A.  B.  FORREST, 

ForrcsVs  Rvginunt  Cavalry. 
Sworn  to   and   subscribed  before   me  on  the  loth  day  of   March^ 
1352.  LEVI  SUGANS, 

Int\ndant  of  tovm  of  Decatur,  Ala  , 

and  ex  offi.  J.  P . 


MAJOR  HENRY'S  STATEMENT. 
{Reftrrcd  to  in  General  Pillcic's  Supplemental  Rc/ort.) 


• 
DrrvTun.  Ala.,  ) 
March  13,  1862.       ^ 

On  the  morning  of  the  1 6th  Fehru.iry,  18G2,  I  was  present  during 
the  council  of  war  held  in  Brigadier-General  Pillow's  Headquarters  at 
Dover,  Tennessee,  Generals  Floyd,  Pillow,  Buckner  and  General  Pil- 
low's staff  being  present.  On  account  of  being  very  much  exhausted 
from  the  fight  of  the  15th  inst.,  I  slept  the  forepart  of  the  night  and 
came  down  stairs  from  ray  room  into  General  Pillow's  abgut  one  or 
two  o'clock.  At  the  time  I  entered  General  Pillow's  room  it  had  been 
decided  that  we  should  fight  our  way  out,  and  General  Pillow  gave  mo 
orders  to  gather  up  all  the  papers  and  books  belonging  to  my  depart- 
ment. AVhereupon,  I  immediately  executed  the  orders  given  to  me 
and  then  returned  to  General  Pillow's  room,  when  a  change  of  opera- 
tions had  been  decided  upon,  on  account  of  information  received  from 
scouts,  ordered  out  by  General  Pillow,  to  ascertain  whether  the  enemy 
re-occupied  the  ground  they  were  driven  from  the  day  previous.  The 
scouts  returned  tnd  reported  that  the  enemy  had  swung  entirely  around 
and  were  in  possession  of  the  very  same  ground.  General  I'illow 
being  still  in  doubt,  sent  a  second  party  of  scouts  who  made  a  thorough 
reconnoisance,  and  reported  that  the  Avoods  were  perfectly  alive  with 
troops,  and  that  their  camp  fires  were  burning  in  every  direction, 
(fcneral  Pillow  then  sent  a  party  of  cavalry  to  inspect  a  slough,  that 
was  filled  with  back  water  from  the  river,  to  see  if  infantry  could  pass. 
They  returned  after  having  made  a  thorough  examination  on  horseback 
and  on  foot,  and  reported  that  infantry  could  not  pass,  but  they  thought 
cavalry  could.  Communication  being  thus  cut  off.  General  Pillow 
urged  the  propriety  of  making  a  desperate  attempt  to  cut  our  way  out. 
whatever  might  be  the  consequences,  or  make  a  fight  in  the  work  and 
hold  our  position  one  more  day,  by  which  time  we  could  get  steam- 
boats sufficient  to  put  the  whole  command  over  the  river,  and  make 
our  escape  by  the  way  of  Clarksville.  General  Buckner  then  said  : 
that  in  consequence  of  the  worn-out  condition  and  demoralization  of 
the  troops  unfler  his  comman<l.  and  the  occupation  of  his  rifle-pits  on 
the  extreme  right  by  the  enemy,  that  he  could  not  hold  his  position  a 
half  hour  after  being  attacked,  which  he  thought  would  begin  about 
daylight.     General  Pillow  then  said:  that  by  the  enemy's  occupation 


5G 

of  the  rifle  pits  on  General  Buckner's  right,  that  it  was  an  open  gate- 
way to  our  river  battery,  and  that  he  tliought  we  ought  to  cut  our  way 
through,  carrying  with  us  as  many  as  possible,  leaving  the  killed  and 
wounded  on  the  field.  General  Buckner  then  said:  that  it  would  cost 
three-fourths  of  the  command  to  get  the  other  fourth  out,  and  that  he 
did  not  think  any  General  liad  the  right  to  make  such  a  sacrifice  of 
human  life.  General  Floyd  agreed  with  General  Buckner  on  this 
point.  General  Pillow  then  rose  up  and  said:  "Gentlemen,  as  you 
refuse  to  make  an  attempt  to  cut  our  way  out,  and  General  Buckner 
says  he  will  not  be  able  to  hold  his  position  a  half  hour  after  being 
attacked,  there  is  only  one  alternative  left:  that  is  capitulation,"  and 
then  and  there  remarked  that  he  would  not  surrender  the  command  or 
himself;  that  he  would  die  first.  General  Floyd  then  spoke  out  and 
Baid  tnat  he  would  not  surrender  the  command  or  himself.  General 
Buckner  remarked  that,  if  placed  in  command  he  would  surrender  the 
command  and  share  its  fate.  General  Floyd  then  said  :  "  General 
Buckner,  if  1  j)lace  you  in  command,  will  you  allow  me  to  get  out  as 
much  of  my  brigade  as  I  can  V  General  JJuckner  replied,  '*  I  will, 
provided  you  do  so  before  the  enemy  receives  my  proposition  for 
capitulation."  General  Floyd  then  turned  to  General  Pillow  and  said  ; 
••  I  turn  the  command  over,  sir."  General  Pillow  replied  promptly, 
"•  I  pass  it."  General  Buckner  said  :  "  I  assume  it ;  give  me  pen,  ink 
and  paper,  and  send  for  a  bugler."  General  Pillow  then  started  out 
of  the  room  to  make  arrangements  for  his  escape,  when  Colonel  For- 
rest said  to  him  :  "  General  Pillow,  what  shall  I  do  ?"  General  Pillow 
replied,  "  cut  your  way  out,  sir;"  Forrest  said,  "I  will  do  it,"  and 
13ft  the  room. 

(Signed,)  GUS.  A.  HENRY,  Jr., 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
To  Briiradicr-General  Pillow. 


The  Statk  of  Alvba.aia,      ) 
Morgan  County.  ) 

This  day  personally  came  before  me,  Levi  Sugans,  Tntendant  of  the 
town  of  Decatur,  County  and  State  aforesaid.  Major  Gus.  A.  Henry, 
Jr.,  who  makes  oath  in  due  form  of  law,  that  the  above  statements  are 
true.  Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  mc  on  the  11th  day  of  March, 
1862. 

(Signed,)  GUS.  A.  HENRY.  Jr., 

Assistant  Adjutaiit  General. 
(Signed,)  LEVI  SUGANS, 

Tnttndant. 


MAJOR  IIAYNES'  STATEMENT, 
{B.(f erred  to  in  General  PilLiv's  Supplemental  Report.) 


Op'fice  Division  Commissary, 
Decatur,  Ala.,  March  13,  1862. 

I  was  present  at  the  council  of  officers,  held  at  Brigadier  General 
Gideon  J.  Pillow's  headquarters,  in  the  town  of  Dover,  Tenn.,  on  the 
morning  of  the  16th  February,  1862.  Was  awoke  in  ray  quarters  at 
one  o'clock,  A.  M.,  by  Colonel  John  C.  Burch,  aid-de-curap,  and  or- 
dered to  report  to  General  PiHow  forthwith.  I  instantly  proceeded 
to  headquarters,  where  I  saw  Brigadier  Generals  Floyd,  I'illow  and 
Buckner,  Colonel  Forrest,  Majors  Henry,  Assistant  Adjutant  Gene- 
ral, Gilmer  and  Jones,  and  Lieutenants  Nicholson  and  Martin,  the 
two  latter  volunteer  aids  to  General  Pillow.  On  my  entrance  in  the 
room,  was  accosted  by  General  Pillow,  and  being  taken  to  one  side, 
was  informed  by  him  that  they  had  determined  to  cut  their  way 
through  the  enemy's  lines,  and  retreat  from  Dover  to  Nashville,  and 
he  desired  me  to  destroy  all  the  commissary  stores,  and  then  make  my 
escape  across  the  river.  I  desired  to  know  at  what  hour  G(?neral 
Pillow  wished  his  order  to  be  executed,  when,  looking  at  his  watch, 
he  replied  at  half-past  five  o'clock.  I  then  retired  from  the  room  to 
inform  my  assistants  of  the  order,  but  in  one  hour,  returned  to  head- 
quarters. 

On  re-entering  the  room,  heard  General  Buckner  say,  **  I  cannot 
hold  my  position  half  an  hour  after  the  attack,"  and  General  Pillow, 
who  was  sitting  next  to  General  Buckner,  and  immediately  front i-ng 
the  fire  place,  promptly  asked,  '*  why  can't  you  ?"  at  the  same  time 
adding.  "  I  think  you  can  bold  your  position  ;  I  think  you  can,  sir." 
General  Buckner  retorted,  "I  know  my  position;  I  can  only  bring 
to  bear  against  the  enemy  a1)out  four  thousand  men,  wliile  he 
can  oppose  me  with  any  given  number."  (icneral  I'illo'.v  then  said: 
*'  well,  gentlemen,  what  do  you  intend  to  do  ?  I  am  in  favor  of  fight- 
ing out."  General  Floyd  then  spoke,  and  asked  General  Buckner 
what  he  had  to  say,  and  General  Buckner  answcretl  quickly,  **  thsvt 
the  attempt  to  cut  a  way  through  the  enemy's  lines  and  retreat  would 
cost  a  sacrifice  of  three-fourths  of  the  command,  and  no  commander 
had  a  right  to  make  such  a  sacrifice."  General  Ployd  concurring,  re- 
marked, "  we  will  have  to  capitulate  ;  but,  gentlemen,  I  cannot  sur- 
render ;  you  know  my  position   with  the  Federals  ;  it  wouldn't  do,  it 


58 

wouldn't  «lo ;"  whereupon  General  Pillow,  aiMressing  General  Floyil, 
sai«l :  "  I  will  not  surrcn«ler  myself  nor  the  coniiMand  ;  rviU  die  first. ^^ 
**  Then,  I  suppose,  gentlemen,"'  said  'ieneral  Buckner,  '•  t!»e  surren- 
der will  devolve  upon  rac  ?  '  General  Floyd  rejdied,  speakin;;  to  Gen- 
eral IJuckner,  *'  General,  if  you  arc  put  in  command,  will  you  allow 
me  to  take  out  hy  the  river  my  brigade  ?  "  "  Yes,  sir,''  responded 
General  IJuckner,  *♦  if  you  move  your  commantl  befcre  the  enemy 
act  upon  my  communication,  offering  to  capitulate,"  "  Then,  sir." 
said  General  Floyd,  ♦*  1  surrender  the  command,"  and  General  Pil- 
low, who  was  next  in  command,  very  quickly  exclaimed,  *'  I  will  not 
accept  it  ;  I  will  inner  surrender,"  and  while  speaking,  turned  to 
General  P.uckntr.  who  rcm:irkod,  "  I  will  accept  and  share  the  fate  of 
my  command,"  and  called  for  pen,  ink,  p:  jter  and  bugler. 

After  the  capitulation  was  determined  upon.  General  Pillow  wished 
to  know  if  it  would  be  proper  for  him  to  make  his  escape,  when  Gen- 
eral Floyd  replied  that  the  (juestion  was  one  for  every  man  to  decide 
for  himself,  but  ho  wttuld  be  glad  for  every  one  t(»  escape  that  could. 
*' Then,  sir,  1  shall  leave  here,"  replied  General  I'illow.  Colonel 
Forrest,  who  was  in  the  room,  and  heard  what  passed,  then  spoke  : 
"  I  think  there  is  more  fa;;ht  in  these  men  than  you  all  suppose,  and 
if  you  will  let  me,  I  will  take  my  command  ;  '  General  Pillow  re- 
sponding to  him,  "  yes,  sir,  take  out  your  command  ;  cut  your  way 
out,"  Generals  Floyd  and  Jkickner  assented;  General  Floyd,  by 
saying,  "yes,  take  out  your  command,"  and  General  Buckner,  by 
expressing,  *'  I  have  no  objection,"  The  moans  of  getting  away  was 
then  discussed,  and  soon  thereafter  we  began  to  disperse, 

\N  hile  the  gi^nilemen  were  leaving  the  room.  I  approached  General 
HuckniT,  and  wished  to  know  if  General  Pillow's  order,  to  destroy 
the  coniuii-^sary  stores,  should  be  carried  out,  and  he  answered,  "Ma- 
jor JIaynes,  1  countermand  the  order,"  It  may  be  proper  for  me  to 
say  that  1  never  met  General  ]'illow  before  the  morning  of  the  9th 
February,  I8G2,  having  been  upon  Brigadier  General  Charles  Clark's 
staff  since  my  entrance  into  the  service,  and  only  went  to  Donclson 
with  Cieneral  Pillow  to  take  temporary  charge  of  the  commissariat. 
General  Pillow  assigned  me  to  duty  on  his  staff  after  arriving  at  Doa- 
elson,  on  the  lOth  February,  18G2. 

(Signed.)  W.   II.  IIAYNES, 

Major  and  Brigade  Cvmviissary. 
Statk  of  Alabama,  } 

MoUGAN    CoL'NTV,   S 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  Levi  Sugans,  Intendant  of  the  town 
of  Decatur,  and  ex  olficio  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Major  W,  II,  Ilaynes, 
who  makes  oath  that  the  statements  herein  made,  relating  to  what  Avas 
said  in  the  council  of  officers,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  February, 
\'><j'l,  are  true. 
Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me  this  14th  March,  1862. 
(Sigded,)  W.  11,  IIAY2«JES, 

Major  and  Brigade  Commissary. 
(Signed,)  LEVI  SUGANS, 

Intendant. 


HUNTER  NICHOLSONS  STATEMENT, 
{Referred  to  in  General  Pillow's  Supplemental  Rcpoil.) 


I  was  present  at  the  council  of  war,  held  a'.  Biigidior  General  PiU 
low's  headquarters  in  Dover,  on  Saturday  night,  Feljruary  1  jth,  1862. 
I  came  into  thc^room  about  two  o'clock.  There  were  present  Gene- 
rals Floyd,  Pillow  and  Buckner,  Major  Gilmer,  Colonel  Forrest,  and 
several  staff  officers,  among  whom  I  distinctly  remember  Major  Henry 
and  Colonel  Burch,  of  General  Pillow's  staff. 

The  Generals  were  discussing  the  necessity  and  practicability  of 
marching  the  forces  out  of  the  entrenchments  and  evacuating  the 
place.  Major  Ilice,  a  resident  of  Dover,  and  an  aid-de-camp  of  Gen- 
eral Pillow,  was  describing  the  nature  of  the  country  and  character  of 
the  roads  over  which  the  army  would  have  to  pass.  He  referred  to 
some  citizen,  I  think,  a  doctor,  but  do  not  remember  his  name,  whom 
he  represented  as  more  familiar  with  the  roads.  In  a  little  while,  or 
perhaps,  during  the  conversation  of  Major  Pice,  the  gentleman  re- 
ferred to  was  announced.  He  gave  a  description  of  the  roads,  which, 
from  my  ignorance  of  the  locality,  I  am  unable  to  repeat.  The  sub- 
stance was,  however,  that  though  exceedingly  difficult,  it  was  possible 
to  pass  the  road  with  light  baggage  trains.  General  Pillow  asked  most 
of  the  questions  propounded  to  this  gentleman,  as  also  of  those  to 
Major  Rice.  At  this  point  I  was  called  into  an  adjoining  room,  where 
I  remained  but  a  few  minutes.  When  I  returned  Maj<»r  Jones,  brigade 
quartermaster,  was  just  entering  the  room.  General  Pillow  at  once 
approached  him,  and  taking  him  a  little  one  side,  explained  to  him 
that  it  had  been  determined  to  evacuate  the  place,  and  that  he  must 
prepare  to  burn  the  quartermaster's  stores  in  his  hands.  Major  Jones 
enquired  at  what  time;  General  Pillow  replied  about  daybreak,  about 
half-past  five  o'clock.  Major  Jones  left  very  soon,  and  I  tlid  not  seo 
him  in  the  room  afterwards,  that  I  recollect.  In  a  few  minutes  Major 
Hayncs,  brigade  commissary,  entered  the  room,  and  received  similar 
instructions  as  to  the  commissary  stores  under  his  charge.  About 
this  time  a  scout  was  ushered  in  who  announced  that  the  enemy  had 
re-occupied  the  lines  from  which  they  had  been  driven  during  the 
fight  on  Saturday.  General  Pillow  doubtf  d  if  the  scout  was  not  mis- 
taken ;  so  another  was  sent  out.  About  half  an  hour  had  elapsed 
when  Major  Hayncs  rcturne<l  and  remaitied  near  me  in  the  room  during 
the  remainder  of  the  discussion.  Just  as  he  entere<l  General  Buckner 
remarked:  "I  am  confident  that  the  enemy  will  attack  my   lines  bj 


60 

light,  and  I  cannot  hold  them  for  half  an  hour."  General  Pillow 
replied  quickly:  "Why  so,  why  so,  General?"  General  Buckner 
replied  :  "  Because  I  can  bring  inro  action  not  over  four  thousand  men, 
and  they  demoralized  by  long  and  uninterrupted  exposure  and  fighting, 
while  lie  can  bring  any  number  of  fresh  troops  to  the  attack."  Gen- 
eral Pillow  replied:  "  I  differ  with  you  ;  I  think  you  can  hold  your 
lines;  I  think  you  can,  sir."  General  Buckner  replied:  *♦  I  know 
ray  position,  and  I  know  that  the  lines  cannot  be  held  with  my  troops 
in  their  present  condition."  General  Floyd,  it  was,  I  think,  who  then 
remarked  :  *'  Then,  gentlemen,  a  capitulation  is  all  that  is  left  us." 
To  which  General  Pillow  replied:  '*  I  do  not  think  so;  at  any  rate  we 
can  cut  our  way  out."  General  Buckner  replied:  "  to  cut  our  way 
out  would  cost  three-fourths  of  our  men,  and  I  do  not  think  any  com- 
mander has  a  right  to  sacrifice  three-fourths  of  his  command  to  save 
one-fourth."     To  which  General  Floyd  replied:  ''certainly  not." 

Alx)ut  this  time  th:'  second  scout  sent  out  returned  and  reported  the 
enemy  in  force  occupying  the  position  from  which  they  had  been  driven. 
Thereupon  two  of  Colonel  Forrest's  cavalry  were  sent  to  examine  the 
back  water,  and  report  if  it  could  be  crossed  by  the  army.  These 
Bcouts  returned  in  a  short  time  and  reported  that  cavalry  could  pass, 
but  infantry  could  not. 

General  Buckner  then  asked  :  "  well,  gentlemen,  what  are  we  to 
do  ?"  General  Pillow  replied  :  "  you  understand  me,  gentlemen,  I  am 
for  holding  out,  at  least  to-day,  getting  boats  and  crossing  the  com- 
mand over.  As  for  myself,  I  will  never  surrender ;  I  will  die  first." 
General  J'loyd  replied  :  "  nor  will  I.  I  cannot  and  will  not  surren- 
der ;  but  I  must  confess  personal  reasons  control  me."  General  Buck- 
ner replied:  "  but  such  considerations  should  not  control  a  General's 
actions."  General  Floyd  replied  :  "  certainly  not ;  nor  would  I  permit 
it  to  cause  me  to  sacrifice  the  command."  General  Buckner  replied: 
**  then,  I  suppose  the  duty  of  surrendering  the  command  will  devolve 
on  me  ?"  General  Floyd  asked  :  "  how  will  you  proceed  ?"  General 
Buckner  replied:  "I  will  send  a  flag  asking  for  General  Grant's 
quarters,  that  I  may  send  a  message  to  him.  I  will  propose  an  armis- 
tice of  six  hours  to  arrange  terms."  A  pause  here  ensued.  Then 
General  Buckner  asked:  "  am  I  to  consider  the  command  as  turned 
over  to  me  ?"  General  Floyd  replied:  "certainly;  I  turn  over  the 
command."  General  Pillow  replied,  quickly  :  "  1  pass  it ;  I  will  not 
surrender."  General  Buckner  theft  called  for  pen,  ink,  paper  and 
a  bugler.  General  Floyd  then  said  :  "  well,  General,  will  I  be  per- 
mitted to  take  my  little  brigade  out  if  I  can  ?"  General  Buckner  re- 
plied:  "certainly,  if  you  can  get  them  out  before  the  terras  of  capit- 
ulation arc  agreed  on."  Colonel  Forrest  then  asked:  "gentlemen, 
Iiavc  1  leave  to  cut  my  way  out  with  my  command  ?"  General  Pillow 
replied;  "yes,  sir;  cut  your  way  out ;"  and  continuing,  "  gentlemen, 
is  there  anything  wrong  in  my  leaving  ?"  General  Floyd  replied  : 
"  every  man  must  judge  for  himself  of  that."  General  Pillow  replied  : 
**  then,  I  shall  leave  this  place."  Here  General  PilloAV  left  the  room  ; 
but  returning  in  a  short  time  and  taking  a  seat  between  Generals  Floyd 
and  Buckner,  said :  "  gentlemen,  in  order  that  we  may  understand 


61 

each  other,  let  me  state  what  is  my  position,  I  differ  with  you  as  to 
the  cost  of  cutting  our  way  out ;  out  if  it  was  ascertained  that  it 
would  cost  three-fourths  of  the  command,  I  agree  that  it  woukl  be 
Wrong  to  sacrifice  them  for  the  remaining  fourth."  Generals  Floyd 
and  Buckner  replied:  *' we  understand  you,  General,  and  you  under- 
stand us." 

After  this  I  left  the  room,  and  soon  after,  the  place. 

(Signed,)  HUNTER  NICHOLSON. 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me  on  this  18th  day  of  March,  1862. 
(Signed,)  LEVI  SUGANS, 

Intcndant  of  the  town  of  Decatur,  Ala., 

and  ex  officio  J.  P. 


RESrOKSE  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  GID.  J.  PILLOW  TO 
TIIK  ORDELl  OF  THE  ISECIiETARY  OF  WAR  OF  MARCH 
n,  18G2. 


To  Captain  IL  P.  Brkwster,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Srn :  In  my  siipplcmontal  report,  which  was  forwarded  through 
General  A.  S.  Jolyiston,  I  liave,  as  1  conceived,  substantially  answered 
the  points  as  indicated  in  the  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War  as  un- 
satisfactory to  the  President.  But  to  be  more  specific,  and  to  reply 
directly  to  these  points,  I  bc;^  to  s:iy,  that : 

1.  General  Floyd  reached  Fort  iJoneison  early  in  the  morning  on 
the  13th  of  February,  and  being  my  senior  officer,  assumed  the  com- 
mand. Up  to  that  time  we  liad  no  need  of  adrlitional  forces,  for  at 
that  time  the  enemy  had  only  about  20,()()()  troops,  and  we  had  a 
force  fully  sufficient  to  defend  the  place  against  that  force,  and  I  did 
not,  nor  could  not,  know  with  what  force  they  mean',  to  invest  us. 
We  were  attacked  by  that  force,  on  the  13th,  around  our  whole  line, 
and  after  three  or  lour  hours  of  vigorous  assault,  wo  repulsed  his 
forces  everywhere. 

After  General  Floyd's  arrival,  being  second  in  command,  I  could 
not,  without  a  violation  of  military  duty,  apply  for  reinforcements. 
P.ut  1  do  not  seek  to  shelter  myself  from  i-es[)onsibility  by  this 
consideration.  Though  the  enemy's  force  greatly  exceeded  ours, 
we  felt  we  could  hold  our  position  against  hira  until  his  large  force  of 
fresh  troops  arrived  on  the  evenings  of  the  13th,  Mth  and  loth. 
These  arrivals,  of  ai)out  3(),<i()0  troops,  made  it  manifest  that  wo  could 
not  hold  the  position  long  against  such  overwhelming  numbers,  par- 
ticulaily  as  they  were  then  enabled  to  completely  invest  us  and  cut 
off  our  communication  with  the  river. 

It  was  then  impossible  to  get  reinforcements  from  Bowling  Green 
or  elsewheie  in  time  to  relieve  us.  It  ref[uired  three  days,  by  rail- 
road a';d  river,  for  the  forces  which  'did  come  to  us  to  jrct  there,  owin^ 
to  the  shortness  of  transportation. 

I  apprised  General  Johnston  of  the  arrival  of  the  enemy's  large 
reinforcements,  giving  him  every  arrival.  But  I  had  just  come  from 
Bowling  Green,  and  was  of  opinion  that  the  force  reserved  for  that 
position  was  inadequate  for  its  defence  against  a  large  assaulting 
force,  and  I  knew  General  Johnston  could  not  give  me  any  reinforce- 
ments unless  he  abandoned  the  place,  a  measure  Avhich  I  did  not  con- 
f?ider  it  my  province  to  suggest.  Knowing  this,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to 
make  the  best  possible  defence  with  the  forces  we  had.  AVc  had  one 
additioiia]  regiment  or  battalion  there,  which  General  Floyd  sent  to 
Cumberland   City  to  protect  public  stores  that  had  been  forwarded  to 


63 

tliat  city.     These   arc   tho   reasons  why  no  application   was  miJe  for 
reinforcements. 

2.  In  response  to  the  second  point  made  by  the  Secretary's  order, 
I  have  to  say  that  arrangements  were  all  made,  or<lers  given  the 
whole  command  to  evacuate  the  work,  and  troops  were  under  arms  to 
march  out,  when  information  was  received  that  we  were  reinvested. 
Up  to  this  time  the  general  officers  were  all  agreed  upon  tiie  line  of 
action  necessary  and  proper  under  the  circumstances.  (See  supple- 
mental report).  It  was  as  to  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  policy  in 
the  new  state  of  the  case  that  the  difference  of  opinion  arose  among 
the  general  officers.  I  was  for  cutting  our  way  out.  (Jencrals  Floyd 
and  Buckner  thought  surrender  was  a  ncfcessity  of  the  position  of 
the  army. 

In  response  to  the  point  made  by  the  Secretary's  order,  that  it  wa.=» 
not  satisfactorily  explained  how  a  part  of  the  command  was  withdrawn 
and  the  bahmce  suri'endcred,  1  have  to  say  : 

On  the  night  and  evening  of  15th  cf  February,  after  the  battle,  in 
expectation  of  evacuation  the  place  that  night,  General  Floyd  had 
sent  off  every  steamboat  that  we  had  with  the  prisoners,  our  sick  and 
wounded.  As  matters  turned  out  it  was  most  unfortunate,  but  I  do 
not  perceive  ho^v  the  act  could  be  censured,  for  it  was  a  measure  pre- 
paratory to  evacuation,  and  no  one  could  have  foreseen  the  course  of 
events  which  late  that  night  defeated  tha'  measure. 

The  act,  however,  was  that  of  my  senior  officer,  and  I  was  not  even 
consul teil  about  its  propriety. 

When  we  ascertained,  between  three  and  four  o'clock  that  night, 
that  we  were  reinvested,  and  the  (|ue3tion  of  our  position  became 
one  of  vital  interest  to  the  commanding  officers,  we  had  not  a  single 
boat,  neither  skiff,  yawl,  nor  even  float,  or  other  ferry  boats.  There 
was  DO  moans  of  crossinj;  the  river.  The  river  was  full,  and  the 
weather  intensely  cold.  About  daybreak  the  steamer  General  Ander- 
son, and  one  other  little  boat,  came  down  ;  one  of  the  boats  had  on 
board  about  400  raw  troops.  I  had  then  crossed  the  river  in  a  small 
band  flat,  about  four  feet  wide  by  twtlve  long,  which  Mr.  Kioe.  a 
citizen  of  Dover,  (acting  as  my  volunteer  aid-dc-camp,)  had  by  some 
means  brought  over  from  the  oj»posite  side  of  the  river. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  these  steamers,  General  Floyd,  acting.  I  pre- 
sume, under  agreement  between  him  and  General  Buckner,  before  the 
command  was  turned  over,  crossed  over  to  the  opposite  .shore  as  many 
of  his  troops  as  he  could,  until  he  was  directed  by  General  Buckner  s 
staff  ollicer  .to  leave,  as  the  gun-boats  of  the  enemy  were  approach- 
ing. This  iLiormation  was  given  me  by  General  Floy<l  at  C'laiksville. 
My  hor.ses  were  brought  across  the  river  on  one  of  the  boats  that 
brought  over  the  troops.  Myself  and  staff  then  made  our  way  to 
Clarksvillc  by  land,  'Ihesc  facts  explain  how  a  portion  of  the  com- 
mand were  withdrawn,  when  the  balance  could  not  be.  I,  however, 
ha<i  no  kind  of  agenry  in  it. 

3,  In  response  to  the  third  point  up.)n  which  information  is  called 
for,  by  the  .Secretary's  order,  viz  :  lipon  what  principle  the  senior 
officers  avoided  responsibility,  by  transferring  the  command,  I  have 


64 

only  to  say  that  I  urged  from  first  to  last,  tlie  duty  of  cutting  through 
the  enemy's  lines  with  the  entire  command,  I  Avas  not  sustained,  but 
■was  alone  in  my  position,  and  with  Gen.  Buckner's  avowal,  that  his 
troops  could  not  make  another  fight,  and  without  the  assistance  of 
either  General  in  command,  and  in  an  enterprise  of  great  difficulty 
and  peril,  I  could  scarcely  hope  to  cut  through  the  enemy's  lines  un- 
aided.     Yet  it  was  against  my  conviction  of  duty  to  surrender 

Under  the  circumstances  in  which  I  was  placed,  I  saw  no  means  of 
defeating  the  surrender,  and,  therefore,  considering  myself  only  tech- 
nically the  recipient  of  the  command,  when  turned  over  by  Gen.  Floyd, 
I  promptly  passed,  and  declined  to  accept  it.  It  was  in  this  sense 
that  I  said  in  my  origina}  report,  that  when  the  command  was  turned 
over  to  me,  I  passed  it.  In  point  of  fact,  however,  the  command  was 
turned  over  by  Gen.  Floyd  to  Gen.  Buckner. 

In  proof  of  which,  I  embody,  in  this  report,  a  dispatch  from  Gen. 
Floyd,  to  Gen.  A.  S.  Johnston,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  February. 
I,  also,  embody  an  order  of  Gen.  Buckner's,  after  he  had  assumed 
command,  to  Brig.  Gen.  B.  R.  Johnson. 


Cumberland  City,  Feb.  16,  1862. 


To  Gen.  Johnson 


This  morning,  at  2  o'clock,  not  feeling  willing  myself  to  surrender,  I 
turned  over  the  command  to  Gen.  Buckner,  who  determined  to  surrender 
the  Fort  and  the  army,  as  any  further  resistance  would  only  result  in 
the  unavailing  spilling  of  blood.  I  succeeded  in  saving  half  of  my 
command,  by  availing  myself  of  two  little  boats  at  the  wharf — all  that 
could  be  commanded.  The  balance  of  the  entire  reserve  of  the  army, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  enemy's  force  was  largely 
augmented  yesterday,  by  the  arrival  of  thirteen  transports,  and  his 
force  could  not  have  been  less  than  fifty  thousand.  I  have  attempted 
to  do  my  duty  in  this  trying  and  difficult  position,  and  only  regret 
that  my  exertions  have  not  been  more  successful. 

(feigned)  J.  B.  FLOYD. 


ORDER  OF  BRIG.   GEN.    BUCKNER  TO  BRIG.    GEN.  B.  R. 

JOHNSON. 

Headquarters  Dover,  Feb.  16,  1862. 

Sir  :  The  command  of  the  forces  in  this  vicinity,  has  devolved 
upon  me,  by  order  of  Gen.  Floyd.'  I  have  sent  a  flag  to  Gen.  Grant, 
and  during  the  correspondence,  and  until  further  orders,  refrain  from 
any  hostile  demonstrations,  with  a  view  of  preventing  a  like  move- 
ment on  the  enemy's  part.     You  will  endeavor  to  send  a  flag  to  the 


65 


enemy's  posts,  in  front  of  your  position,  notifying  tliem  of  the  fact, 
that  I  have  sent  a  communication  to  Gen.  Grant,  from  the  right  of  our 
position,  and  desire  to  know  his  headquarters. 

Respectfully,  your  oh't  servant, 
(Signed)  S.  B.  BUCKNER, 

Brig.  Gen.,  a  S.  A. 


These  orders  show  that  all  parties  knew  the  command  was  turned 
over,  not  to  myself,  but  to  Gen.  Buckner.  The  reason  for  this,  was 
obvious ;  both  Gens.  Buckner  and  Floyd  were  of  opinion  that  a  sur- 
render of  the  command  was  a  necessity  of  its  position.  They  had 
both  heard  me  say  that  I  would  die  before  1  would  surrender  the  com- 
mand. 

Gen.  Buckner  had  said,  if  placed  in  command,  he  would  make  the 
surrender,  and  he  had  agreed  with  Gen.  Floyd,  that  he  might  with- 
draAV  his  brigade.  This  understanding  and  agreement,  and  my  posi- 
tion, excluded  me  from  actual  command. 

Having  gone  into  the  council  of  General  officers,  and  taken  part  in 
its  deliberations,  I  felt  bound  by  its  decision,  although  against  ray  con- 
viction of  duty.  I,  therefore,  determined  not  to  assume  nor  accept 
the  command.  I  still  think  that  in  acquiescing  in  this  decision  as  a 
necessity  of  my  position,  I  acted  correctly,  although  my  judgment 
was  wholly  against  the  measure  to  surrender.  I  had  no  agency  what- 
ever, in  withdrawing  any  portion  of  the  command,  except  to  direct  Col, 
Forrest  to  cut  his  way  out  with  his  cavalry,  all  of  which  I  organized 
into  a  brigade  under  him. 

5.  In  response  to  the  5th  and  6ih  enquiries  of  the  Secretary's  or- 
ders, 1  reply,  I  do  not  know  what  regiments  of  Gen.  Floyd's  brigade 
were  surrendered,  nor  which  were  withdrawn,  nor  do  I  know  upon 
what  principle,  the  selection  was  made. 

For  further  information,  reference  is  made  to  my  original  and  sup- 
plemental reports. 

Before  closing  the  response,  to  the  Hon.  Secretary's  order,  I  deem 
it  not  improper  to  say,  that  the  only  doubt  I  felt,  in  my  opinion,  I 
expressed,  position  assumed,  or  act,  I  did,  was,  as  to  the  propriety  of 
retiring  from  the  garrison,  when  I  could  not  control  the  fate  of  the 
command,  whose  surrender  was  not  my  act,  or  with  my  approval. 
Upon  this  point,  1  consulted  (len.  Floyd  and  Buckner, 

To  these  reasons,  and  knowing  that  the  General  officers  would  not 
be  permitted  to  accompany  the  men  into  captivity,  I  finally  determined 
to  retire,  hoping  1  might  be  able  to  rcrder  some  service  to  th-j 
country. 

Very  respectfully, 

GID.  J.  BILLOW, 
5  Brig.  Gen.,  C\  S.  A. 


ORIGINAL    RErORT   OF   GENERAL  S.   B.  BUCKNER,  AD- 
DRESSED  TO  COLONEL  W.  W.  MACKALL,  A.  A.  G. 


Headquarters  Cumberland  Army,  ) 
Dover,  Tenn.,  Feb.  18,  18G2.       ] 

Sir: — It  becomes  my  duty  to  report  that  the  remains  of  this  army, 
after  winning  some  brilliant  successes,  both  in  repulsing  the  assaults 
of  the  enemy  and'  in  sallying  successfully  through  their  lines — has 
been  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  a  surrender. 

At  the  earliest  practicable  day,  I  will  send  a  detailed  report  of  its 
•  operations.  I  can  only  say  now,  that  after  the  battle  of  the  loth 
.inst.  had  been  won,  and  my  division  of  the  army  "was  being  estab- 
dished  in  position  tq  cover  the  retreat  of  the  army,  the  plan  of  battle 
seemed  to  have  been  changed  and  the  troops  were  ordered  back  to  the 
trenches.  Before  my  OAvn  division  returned  to  their  works  on  the  ex- 
treme right,  the  lines  were  assailed  at  that  point,  and  my  extreme 
right  was  occupied  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  But  1  suc- 
cessfully repelled  their  further  assaults. 

It  was  the  purpose  of  General  Floyd,  to  eftect  the  retreat  of  the 
army  over  the  ground  which  had  been  won  in  the  morning  and  the 
troops  moved  from  their  works  with  that  view ;  but  before  any  move- 
ment for  that  purpose  was  organized,  a  reconnoissance  showed  that 
the  ground  was  occupied  by  the  enemy  in  great  strength.  General 
Fl')yd  then  determined  to  retreat  across  the  rivei'  with  such  force  as 
could  escape  ;  but  as  there  were  no  boats  until  noail}'  daylight  on  the 
16th,  he  left  with  some  regiments  of  Virginia  troops  about  daylight, 
and  was  accompanied  by  Brigadier  General  Pillcw. 

I  Avas  thus  left  in  command  of  the  remnant  of  the  army,  which  had 
been  placed  in  movement  for  a  retreat,  which  was  discovered  to  be  im- 
practicable. My  men  were  in  a  state  of  complete  exhaustion,  from 
extreme  suifcring,  from  cold,  and  fatigue  ;  the  supply  of  ammunition, 
especially  for  the  artillery,  was  being  rapidly  exhausted,  the  army 
was  to  a  great  extent  demoralized  by  the  retrograde  movement.  On 
being  placed  in  command,  I  ordered  such  troops  as  could  not  cross  the 
B'iver  to  return  to  their  entrenchments,  to  make  at  the  last  moment 
such  resistance  as  was  possible,  to  the  overwhelming  force  of  the  ene- 
my. But  a  small  portion  of  the  forces  had  returned  to  the  lines  when 
I  received  from  General  Grant,  a  reply  to  my  proposal  to  negotiate 
for  terms  of  surrender.  ^To  have  refused  his  terms  would,  in  the  con- 
dition  of   the  army  at  that  time,  have  led  to  the  massacre   of  my 


G7 

troops  witliout  any  advantage  resulting  from  the  sacrifice.  I  there- 
fore felt  it  my  highest  duty  to  these  brave  men,  whose  conduct  Had 
been  so  brilliant  and  whose  sufferings  had  been  so  intense,  to  accept 
the  ungenerous  terras  proposed  by  the  Federal  commander,  who  over- 
came us  solely  by  ovcrwhtdming  superiority  of  numbers.  This  army 
is,  accordingly,  prisoners  of  war;  the  officers  retaining  their  side 
arms  and  private  property,  and  the  soldiers  their  clothing  and  blankets. 
I  regret  to  state  however,  that,  notAvithstanding  the  earnest  efforts  of 
General  Grant  and  many  of  his  officers  to  prevent  it,  our  camps  have 
been  a  scene  of  almost  indiscriminate  pillage  by  the  Federal  troops. 
In  conclusion.  I  request  at  the  earliest  time  practicable,  a  Court  of 
Inquiry  to  examine  into  the  causes  of  the  surrender  of  this  army. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
[Signed,]  S.  B.  BUCKNER, 

Brig.  General,  C.  S.  A. 
To  Colonel  W.  W.  Mackall, 

A.  A.  General, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  OPERATIONS  OF  GENERAL  S.  R 
BUCKNER'S  DIVISION  IN  THE  DEFENCE  OF  FORT  DON- 
ELSON,  AND  OF  THE  SURRENDER  OF  THAT  POST. 


Richmond,  Va.,  ) 

August  11,  18G2.      5 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  mnlio  the  follo^Ying  report  of  the  opera- 
lions  of  that  portion  of  the  2J  Division  of  the  Central  Army  of  Ken- 
tucky, which  was  detached  from  Bowling  Green  and  Russellville,  Ky., 
to  aid  in  the  defence  of  Fort  Donelson  and  the  village  of  Dover,  on 
the  Cumberland  River,  Tennessee. 

By  the  courtesy  of  Brigadier-General  Grant,  United  States  Army, 
I  was  permitted  to  transmit  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  a  brief  report 
of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Donelson,  but  as  I  now  learn,  it  never  reached 
the  Headquarters  of  General  A.  S.   Johnston,  I   transmit  herewith  a 

I  have  been  prevented  from  making  an  earlier  report  by  the  refusal 
of  the  Federal  authorities  during  my  imnrisonraent,  either  to  permit 
me  to  make  a  report  or  to  receive  the  report  of  subordinate  commandera. 
Sach,  indeed,  was  the  discourtesy  of  the  Federal  War  Department, 
that,  though  kept  in  solitary  confinement  during  my  imprisonment  and 
prevented  from  holding  communications  M'ith  any  of  my  fellow  pri- 
Roners,  a  request  on  my  part  to  be  informed  of  the  cause  of  a  pro- 
ceeding so  unusual  amongst  nations  pretending  to  follow  the  rules  of 
civilized  warfare,  failed  to  elicit  a  response.  On  the  11th  February 
ultimo,  Brigadier-General  Floyd  had  resolved  to  concentrate  his  di- 
vision and  my  own  at  Cumberland  City,  with  a  view  of  operating  from 
some  point  of  the  railway,  west  of  that  position,  in  the  direction  of 
Fort  Donelson  Or  Fort  Henry,  thus  maintaining  his  communications 
■with  Nashville,  by'the  way  of  Charlotte.  I  reached  Fort  Donelson 
on  the  night  of  February  1 1th,  with  orders  fyora  General  Floyd  to 
direct  (jcneral  Pillow  to  send  back  at  once  to  Cumberland  City  the 
tjoops  which  had  been  designated. 

Before  leaving  Clarksville  I  had,  by  authority  of  General  Floyd, 
ordered  Scott's  Regiment  of  Louisiana  Cavalry  to  operate  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Cumberland  River,  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Donelson,  with 
a  view,  to  prevent  the  establishment  of  any  of  the  enemy's  field  bat- 
teries which  might  interfere  with  our  transports.  General  Pillow 
declined  to  execute  the  order  of  which  I  was  the  bearer,  until  he  should 
have  a  person:!  interview  with  General  Floyd.     Accordingly   on  the 


69 

Tnovning  of  the  12tli,  he  left  me  temporarily  in  commanJ  anl  proceeded 
liimself  in  a  steamer  to  Cumberland  City,  Before  leaving,  lie  informed 
me  that  he  had  directed  a  reconnoissance  to  be  made  by  Colonel  For- 
rest's Cavalry,  with  instructions,  in  no  event  to  bring  on  an  engage- 
ment, should  the  enemy  approach  in  force, 

Ger.cr;\l  Pillow  left  me  under  the  impression  that  he  did  not  cxpcci 
an  immediate  advance  of  the  enemy,  and  regarded  their  approach  frora 
the  direction  of  Fort  Henry  as  impracticable.  During  the  morning, 
Forrest  reported  the  enemy  advancing  in  force  with  the  view  of  en- 
veloping our  line  of  defence;  and  for  a  time  he  Avas  engaged  with  his 
usual  gallantry  in  heavy  skirmishing  with  them,  at  one  time  driving 
one  of  their  battalions  back  upon  their  artillery. 

About  noon  General  Pillow  returned  and  resumed  command;  it 
having  been  determined  to  reinforce  the  garrison  with  the  remaining 
troops  frora  Ciimberland  City  and  Clarksvillc. 

The  defences  were  in  a  very  imperfect  condition.  The  space  to  ',e 
defended  by  the  army  was  quadrangular  in  shape,  being  limited  on  the 
North  by  the  Cumberland  River,  on  the  East  and  West  by  small 
streams,  now  converted  into  deep  sloughs  by  the  high  water,  and  on 
the  South  by  our  line  of  defence.  The  river  line  exceeded  a  mile  in 
lengtli ;  the  line  of  defence  was  about  two  miles  and-a-half  long,  and 
its  distance  from  the  river  varied  from  one  fourth  to  three  fourths  of 
a  mile.  The  line  of  cntrencliments  consisted  of  a  few  logs  rolled 
together  and  but  slightly  covered  with  earth,  forming  an  insufficient 
protection  even  against  field  artillery.  Not  more  than  one  third  of 
the  line  was  completed  on  the  morning  of  the  12th.  It  had  been 
located  under  tlie  direction  of  that  able  engineer  officer,  ^lajor  Gilmer, 
near  the  crests  of  a  series  of  ridges  which  sloped  backwards  to  the 
river,  and  were  again  commanded  in  several  places  by  other  ridges  at 
a  still  greater  distance  from  the  river.  This  chain  of  heights  was  in- 
tersected by  deep  valleys  and  ravines,  wliicli  materially  interfered  with 
communications  between  different  parts  of  the  line.  Between  the 
village  of  Dover  and  the  water  batteries,  a  broad  and  deep  valley  ex- 
tending directly  back  from  the  river,  and  Hooded  by  the  high  water, 
inccrsected  the  quadrangular  area  occupied  by  the  aimy,  and  almost 
completely  isolated  the  right  wing.  That  part  of  the  line  which  cov- 
ered the  land  approach  to  the  water  batteries,  and  constituted  our  right 
wing,  was  assigned  to  me  with  a  portion  of  my  division,  consisting  of 
the  third  or  Colonel  John  C.  Brown's  brigade,  which  was  composed  of 
the  3rd  Tennessee  Volunteers,  which  was  Colonel  Brown's  regiment, 
IvSth  Tennei-see  regiment.  Colonel  Palmer,  33d  Tennessee  regiment, 
Colonel  Cook  ;  half  of  Colonel  Baldwin's  2d  brigade,  temporarily  at- 
tached to  Colonel  Brown's  2nd  Regiment  Kentucky  Volunteers,  Col- 
onel R.  W.  Hanson  ;  14th  Mississippi  Volunteers,  Major  Doss  ;  41st 
Tennessee  Volunteers,  Colonel  Farquharson  ;  Porter's  battery  of  tix 
field  pieces;  Graves'  battery  of  six  field  pieces. 

The  remaining  regiments  of  Baldwin's  brigade,  the  26th  Tennessee 
Volunteers.  Colonel  Lillaril,  and  the  2Gth  Mississippi  Volunteers,  Colo- 
nel Reynolds,  together  with  the  brigade  commander,  were  detached 
from  my  command  by  Brigadier-CJeneral  Pillow  and  assigned  a  posi- 
tion on  the  left  of  the  line  of  entrenchments. 


The  Avork  on  my  lines  was  pro.secuted  with  energy,  and  was  urg-ed 
forward  as  rapidly  as  the  limited  number  of  tools  would  permit;  so 
that  by  the  morning  of  the  1 3th,  my  position  was  in  a  respectable 
state  of  defence. 

My  disposition  of  the  troops  was  as  follows  : 

Hanson's  regiment  on  the  extreme  right ;  Palmer's  regiment,  with 
its  reserve,  in  position  to  reinforce  Hanson;  Porter's  battery  occupy- 
mg  the  advanced  salient,  sweeping  the  road  which  led  to  the  front,  and 
tianking  the  entrenchments  both  to  the  right  and  to  the  left.  The 
reserve  of  the  14th  Mississippi  was  held  as  its  support.  Brown's, 
(■ooks',  and  Farquharson's  regiments  were  on  the  left.  Graves'  bat- 
tery occupied  a  position  near  the  extreme  left  of  the  entrenchments 
on  the  declivity  of  the  hill,  whence  it  swept  the  valley  A^ith  its  fire 
and  flanked  the  position  of  Colonel  Heiman  to  the  east  of  the  valley. 

From  three  to  five  companies  of  each  regiment  were  deployed  as 
skirmishers  in  the  rifle-pits.  The  other  companies  of  each  regiment 
were  massed  in  columns,  sheltered  from  the  enemy's  fire  behind  the 
irregularities  of  the  ground,  and  held  in  convenient  positions  to  reinforce 
any  portion  of  the  line  that  might  be  seriously  threatened. 

No  serious  demonstration  was  made  on  our  lines  on  the  12th. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  a  column  of  the  enemy's  infantry, 
which  was  apparently  forming  to  move  down  the  valley  between  my 
left  and  Ilciman's  right,  was  driven  back  by  a  few  well-directed  shots 
from  Graves'  battery. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  enemy  made  a  vigorous  attack 
upon  Hanson's  position,  but  Avas  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  The  attack 
was  subsequently  renewed  by  three  heavy  regiments,  but  was  again 
repulsed  by  the  2d  Kentucky  regiment,  aided  by  a  part  of  the  18th 
Tennessee.  In  both  those  affairs,  and  also  in  a  third  repulse  of  the 
enemy  from  the  same  position,  Porter's  battery  played  a  conspicuous 
part. 

About  1 1  o'clock  a  strong  attack  was  made  on  Colonel  Heiman's 
position  beyond  my  left.  A  well  directed  fire  from  Graves'  battery 
npon  the  flank  of  the  assaulting  column  materially  contributed  to  re- 
pulse the  enemy  with  heavy  loss. 

The  fire  ofthe  enemy's  artillery  and  riflemen  was  incessant  throughout 
the  day ;  but  was  responded  toby  a  well-directed  fire  from  the  en- 
trenchmc'Uts,  wliich  inflicted  upon  the  assailant  considerable  loss,  and 
ahnost  silenced  his  fire  late  in  the  afternoon.  On  the  preceding  night 
General  Floyd  had  arrived  and  assumed  command  of  all  the  troops, 
nnd  during  the  morning  visited  and  inspected  my  lines.  My  loss 
during  the  day  was  thirty-nine  (39)  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  enemy  were  comparatively  quiet  in  front  of  my  position  during 
the  14th.  On  the  morning  of  that  day  I  was  summoned  to  a  council 
of  general  ofificers,  in  which  it  was  decided  unanimously,  in  view  of 
the  arrival  of  heavy  reinforcements  of  the  encm}^  below,  to  make  an 
in)mediate  attack  u{)on  their  right,  in  order  to  open  our  communications 
with  Charlotte  in  the  direction  of  Nashville.  It  was  urged  that  this 
attack  should  be  made  at  once,  before  the  disembarkation  of  enemy's 
rcinforceraents — supposed  to  be  about  fifteen  thousand  men.     I  pro- 


71 

posed  with  my  division  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  army,  shoukl  the 
sortie  prove  successful.  I  made  the  necessary  dispositions  prepara- 
tory to  executing  the  movement,  hut  early  in  the  afternoon  the  order 
was  countermanded  by  (Jencral  Floyd,  at  tlie  instance,  as  I  afterwards 
learned,  of  General  Pillow,  who,  after  drawing  out  his  troops  for  the 
attack,  thought  it  too  late  for  the  attempt. 

On  the  night  of  the  14th  it  was  unanimously  decided,  in  a  council 
of  general  ollicers  and  regimental  commanders,  to  attack  the  enemy's 
right  at  daylight.  The  object  of  the  attack  Avas  to  force  our  way 
through  his  lines,  recover  our  communications,  and  eflfect  our  retreat 
upon  Nashville  by  way  of  Charlotte,  Tenn.  This  movement  had  be- 
come imperatively  necessary  in  consequence  of  the  vastly  superior  and 
constantly  increasing  force  of  the  enemy,  who  had  already  completely 
enveloped  our  position.  The  general  plan  was  for  General  Pillow  to 
attack  his  extreme  ri,j,'"ht,  and  for  that  portion  of  my  division  remain- 
ing under  my  command,  after  being  relieved  in  the  riilo  pits  by  Colo- 
nel Head's  regiment,  to  make  an  attack  upon  the  right  of  the  enemy's 
centre,  and,  if  successful,  to  take  up  a  position  in  advance  of  our 
works  on  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  to  cover  the  retreat'  of  the  whole 
army  ;   after  which  my  division  was  to  act  as  the  rear  guard. 

On  Saturday  morning,  the  lolh,  a  consi(leral)le  portion  of  my  di- 
vision was  delayed  by  the  non- arrival  of  Head's  regiment  at  the  ap- 
pointed time,  and  by  the  slippery  condition  of  the  icy  road  which 
forbade  a  rapid  march.  My  advance  regiment,  however,  the  3d  Ten- 
nessee, reached  its  position  by  daylight  in  rear  of  a  portion  of  the  en- 
trenchments which  had  been  occupied  by  General  Pillow's  troops.  As 
no  guards  had  been  left  in  this  portion  of  the  line,  and  even  a  battery 
was  left  in  position  without  a  cannonier,  I  deployed  the  3d  Tennessee 
in  the  rifle  pits  to  cover  the  formation  of  my  division  as  it  arrived. 
The  regiments  were  formed,  ])artly  in  line  and  partly  in  column,  and 
covered  from  the  enemy's  artillery  fire  by  a  slight  acclivity  in  front. 
In  the  meantime  the  attack  on  the  enemy's  right  was  made  in  the  most 
gallant  and  determined  manner  by  the  division  of  General  J'illow.  For 
the  progress  of  that  action,  I  refer  to  the  reports  of  Colonel  Baldwin, 
Colonel  Gregg,  and  their  subordinate  commanders,  which  have  been 
transmitted  to  me,  as  the  senior  officer  left  with  the  army.  ^ 

In  front  of  ray  position,  the  enemy  had  a  heavy  battery  posted  on 
the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  with  another  battery  opposite  my  left — both 
sustained  by  a  heavy  infantry  force. 

Major  Davidson,  acting  chief  of  my  artillery,  estal)lishe<l  Graves' 
battery  to  the  left  of  the  Wynn's  ferry  road  and  opened  upon  the  ene- 
my's batteries  a  destructive  fire.  I  also  directed  a  portion  of  the  ar- 
tillery to  open  upon  the  flank  and  left  rear  of  the  enemy's  infantry, 
who  were  contesting  the  advance  of  General  Pillow's  <livi.«iou.  In 
view  of  the  heavy  duty  which  I  expected  my  division  to  undergo  in 
covering  the  retreat  of  the  army,  I  thought  it  unadvisable  to  attempt 
»n  assault  at  this  time  in  my  front  un'til  the  enemy's  batteries  were,  to 
some  extent,  crippled,  and  their  supports  shaken  by  tho  fire  of  ray 
artillery.  About  9  o'clock.  General  Pillow  ur/fed  an  advance  to  re- 
lieve his  forces.     I  accordingly  sent  forward  the  1  Uh  Mississippi,  Ma- 


72 

jor  Doss,  deployed  as  skirmi.shers.  At  the  rerixiest  of  its  commander, 
1  assigned  the  direction  of  its  movements  to  Major  Alexander  Cassiday, 
of  my  staff.  The  line  of  skirmishers  was  sustained  by  the  3d  and  1 8th 
Tennessee.  Their  line  of  march  unfortunately  masked  the  fire  of  my 
artillery  upon  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  but  it  continued  to  play  with 
offect  upon  the  force  which  was  opposing  General  PilloAv's  advance. 
The  combined  attack  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire,  not,  however, 
without  inflicting  upon  ray  troops  considerable  loss.  Under  a  misap- 
prehension of  instructions,  at  a  time  when  my  artillery  was  directed 
over  the  heads  of  the  advanced  troops  upon  the  enemy's  battery,  these 
regiments  withdrew  without  panic,  but  in  some  confusion,  to  the 
trenches,  after  the  enemy's  infantry  had  been  driven  a  considerable 
distance  from  their  position. 

As  the  enemy's  line  of  retreat  was  along  the  Wyim's  ferry  road,  I 
now  organized  an  attack  further  to  my  right,  up  a  deep  valley  which 
led  from  lieiman's  left,  in-  rear  of  the  position  occupied  by  the  enemy's 
batteries. 

In  order  to  cover  the  advance  of  the  infantry  column,  I  directed 
Captain  Porter,  with  his  artilleriits,  to  serve  Green's  battery,  which  was 
already  in  position,  and,  at  the  same  time,  sent  a  request  to  Col.  Hei- 
man  to  direct  Maney's  battery  to  open  its  fire,  while  he  should  deploy 
a  line  of  skirmishers  in  advance  of  his  position  to  cover  the  right  of 
the  valley.  Gen,  Pillow  was  at  this  time,  as  I  afterwards  learned,  on 
the  heights  to  my  right,  occupied  by  Ileiman,  Maney's,  Porter's  and 
Graves'  batteries  now  opened  a  cross  fire  upon  the  enemy's  battery  and 
position,  soon  crippling  some  of  his  guns  and  driving  their  supports, 
while  the  3d,  18th  and  o2d  Tennessee  regiments,  under  their  brigade 
commander,  Colonel  John  C.  Brown,  moved  steadily  up  the  valley, 
preceded  by  their  skirmishers,  who  soon  became  engaged  with  those  of 
the  enemy.  This  movement,  combined  with  the  brisk  fire  of  three 
batteries,  induced  a  rapid  retreat  of  the  enemy,  who  abandoned  a  sec- 
tion of  his  artillery.  At  the  same  time  my  infantry  were  thus  pene- 
trating the  enemy's  line  of  retreat,  Forrest,  with  a  portion  of  his  cav- 
alry, charged  upon  their  right,  while  General  Pillow's  division,  under 
the  orders  of  General  B.  R,  Johnson  and  Colonel  Baldwin  were  press- 
ing their  extreme  right  about  half  a  mile  to  the  left  of  this  position. 

In  this  latter  movement,  a  section  of  Grave's  battery  participated, 
playing  with  destructive  effect  upon  the  enemy's  left,  Avhile,  about  the 
same  time,  the  2d  Kentucky,  under  Colonel  Hanson,  charged  in  quick 
time,  as  if  upon'  parade,  through  an  open  field  and  under  a  destructive 
fire,  without  firing  a  gun,  upon  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  who 
broke  and  fled  in  all  directions.  A  large  portion  of  the  enemy's  right 
vlispersed  through  the  woods  and  made  their  way,  as  was  afterwards 
Jearned,  to  Fort  Henry. 

While  this  movement  was  going  on,  I  conducted  one  piece  of  artil- 
lery, under  Captain  Graves,  along  the  Wynn's  ferry  road,  supported 
by  the  Itth  Mississippi,  and  sent  orders  to  the  residue  of  Graves'  bat- 
tery and  Porter's  and  Jackson's  batteries,  and  Farquharson's  Tennes- 
see regiment  to  follow  the  movement  with  rapidity,  I  also  sent  to 
direct  Hanson's  regiment  to  rejoin  me.     The   enemy,  in  his  retreat, 


73 

had  now  tiiken  up  a  strong  position  on  tlie  road  beyond  the  point 
where  it  crosses  the  valley.  I  directed  the  position  to  be  attacked  by 
the  3d,  18th  and  32d  Tennessee  regiments,  the  first  on  the  left,  the 
others  on  the  right  of  the  road,  while  Graves'  piece  took  position  in 
the  road  within  two  hundred  and  fifty  or  three  hundred  yards  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  These  regiments,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Colonel  Brown,  advanced  gallantly  to  the  attack,  while  Graves'  piece 
responded  with  effect  to  the  enemy's  artillery.  Notwithstanding  their 
vast  superiority  in  numbers,  the  enemy  were  driven,  with  very  heavy 
loss,  from  their  position,  and  retreated  to  the  right  of  the  Wynn's 
ferry  road,  leaving  it  entirely  open.  In  this  positio;i  I  awaited  the 
arrival  of  my  artillery  and' reserves,  either  to  continue  the  pursuit  of 
the  enemy,  or  to  defend  the  position  I  now  held,  in  order  that  the  array 
might  pass  out  on  the  forge  road,  which  was  now  completely  covered 
by  the  position  occupied  by  my  division.  But  Gsncral  Pillow  had 
prevented  my  artillery  from  leaving  the  entrenchments,  and  had  order- 
ed Farquharson  not  to  join  me,  and  also  sent  me  reiterate  1  orders  to 
return  to  my  entrenchments  on  the  extreme  right,  I  was  in  the  act  of 
returning  to  the  lines  when  I  met  General  Floyd,  vfho  seemed  surprised 
at  the  order.  At  his  request  to  know  my  opinion  of  the  movement,  I 
replied  that  nothing  had  occurred  to  change  my  views  of  the  necessity 
of  the  evacuation  of  the  post,  that  the  road  was  open,  that  the  first 
part  of  our  purpose  was  fully  accomplished,  and  I  thought  we  should 
at  once  avail  ourselves  of  the  existing  opportunity  to  regain  our  com- 
munications. These  seemed  to  be  his  own  views  ;  for  ho  directed  mo 
to  halt  my  troops  and  remain  in  position  until  he  should  have  con- 
versed with  General  Pillow,  who  was  now  within  the  entrenchments. 
After  that  consultation,  he  sent  me  an  order  to  retire  within  the 
lines  and  to  repair  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  my  former  position  on  the 
extreme  right,  which  was  in  danger  of  attack.  The  enemy  made  no 
attempt  at  pursuit,  I  secured  the  section  of  artillery  which  had  been 
captured,  and  covered  my  retrogade  mo-vement  by  Hanson's  and  Far- 
quharson's  regiments.  My  troops  were  already  much  exhausted,  but 
returned  as  rapidly  as  possible,  a  distance  of  two  miles  to  their  posi- 
tions. But  a  small  portion  of  ray  division  had  reached  their  positions 
when  a  division  of  the  enemy,  under  command  of  Gen.  0.  F.  Smith, 
assaulted  the  exreme  right  of  my  position,  falling  upon  Hanson's  regi- 
ment before  it  had  reached  its  rifle  pits.  This  gallant  regiment  was 
necessarily  thrown  back  in  confusion  upon  the  position  of  the  18th 
Tennessee.  At  this  period  I  reached  that  position,  and,  aided  by  a 
number  of  officers,  I  succeeded  in  hastily  forming  a  line  behind  the 
crest  of  the  hill  which  overlooked  the  detached  works  which  had  been 
seized  by  the  enemy  before  Hanson  had  been  able  to  throw  his  regi- 
ment into  them.  The  enemy  advanced  gallantly  upon  this  new  posi- 
tion, but  was  .repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  I  reinforced  this  position  by 
other  regiments  as  thoy  successively  arrived,  and  by  a  section  of 
(jraves'  battery,  while  a  section  of  I'orter's  battery  was  placed  in  its 
former  position.  During  a  contest  of  more  than  two  hours,  the  ene- 
my threatened  my  left  with  a  heavy  column,  and  made  repeated 
attempts  to  storm  my  line  on   the  right,  but  the  well-directed  fire  of 


74 

Porters  and  Graves'  artillery  and  the  musketry  fire  of  the  infuntry 
repelled  the  attempts,  and  finally  drove  him  to  seek  shelter  behind  the 
works  he  had  taken,  and,  amid  the  irregularities  of  the  ground.  There 
was  probably  no  period  of  the  action  when  his  force  was  not  from  three 
to  five  times  the  strength  of  mine.  Toward  the  close  of  the  action 
I  was  reinforced  by  the  rcirimcnts  of  Colonels  Quarles  and  Sugg  and 
Bailey.  Generals  Floyd  and  Tillow  also  visited  the  position  about 
the  close  of  the  action. 

In  a  council  of  general  and  field  olficera,  held  after  night,  it  was 
unanimously  resolved,  that  if  the  enemy  had  not  reoccupied,  in 
strength,  the  position  in  front  of  General  I'illow,  the  army  should 
eflect  its  retreat;  ami  orders  to  assemble  the  regiments  for  that  pur- 
pose were  given  by.  General  Floyd.  But  as  the  enemy  had,  late  in 
the  afternoon,  appeared  in  considerable  force  on  the  battle  field  of  the 
morning,  a  rcccnnoisance  was  ordered,  I  think  by  General  Pillow, 
under  the  instructions  of  General  Floyd.  The  report  of  this  rccon- 
noisancc,  made  by  Colonel  Forrest,  has  been  fully  stated  by  Generals 
Floyd  and  l*iIIow  ;  and  from  what  I  have  been  able  to  learn  since,  I 
am  satisfied  the  information  reported  was  correct.  Amongst  other  in- 
cidents, showing  that  the  enemy  had  not  only  re-occupied  their  former 
ground,  but  extended  their  lines  still  farther  to  our  left,  is  the  fact  that 
Overton's  cavalry^  following  after  Forrest's,  was  cut  off  from  retreat 
by  an  infantry  force  of  the  enemy  at  the  point  where  Forrest  had 
crossed  the  stream  on  the  river  road.  When  the  information  of  our 
reinvestment  was  reported,  General  Floyd,  General  Pillow  and  myself 
were  the  only  members  of  the  council  present.  Both  of  these  officers 
have  slated  the  views  of  the  council,  but  ray  recollection  of  some  of 
the  incidents  narrated  differs  so  materially  from  that  of  General  Pil- 
low, that  without  intending  any  reflection  upon  either  of  those  officers, 
I  feel  called  upon  to  notice  some  of  the  differences  of  opinion  betjveen 
us.  Both  officers  have  correctly  stated  that  I  regarded  the  position 
of  the  army  as  desperate,  and  that  an  attempt  to  extricate  it  by  another 
battle,  in  the  suffering  and  exhausted  condition  of  the  troops,  was  al- 
most hopeless. 

The  troops  had  been  worn  down  with  watching,  with  labor,  with 
fighting.  Many  of  tiicm  were  frosted  by  the  intensity  of  the  cold ; 
all  of  them  were  suffering  and  exhausted  by  their  incessant  labors. 
There  had  been  no  regular  issue  of  rations  for  a  number  of  days,  and 
scarcely  any  means  of  cooking. 

Their  ammunition  was  nearly  expended.  We  were  completely  in- 
vested by  a  force  fully  four  times  the  strength  of  our  own.  In  their 
exhausted  condition  they  could  not  have  made  a  march.  An  attempt 
to  make  a  sortie  would  have  been  resisted  by  a  superior  force  of  fresh 
troops ;  and  that  attempt  would  have  been  the  signal  for  the  fall  of 
the  water  batteries,  and  the  presence  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  sweep- 
ing witli  their  fire  at  close  range  the  positions  of  our  troops  ;  who 
would  thus  have  been  assailed  on  their  front,  rear  and  right  flank  at 
the  same  instant.  The  result  would  have  been  a  virtual  massacre  of 
the  troops,  more  disheartening  in  its  cftects  than  a  surrender. 

In  this  opinion  General  Floyd  coincided;  and  I  am  certain  that 


75 

both  he  and  I  were  convinced  that  General  Pillow  agreed  with  us  in 
opinion.  General  Pillow  then  asked  our  opinion  as  to  the  practica- 
bility of  holding  our  position  another  day.  I  replied  that  my  right 
was  already  turned,  a  portion  of  my  entrenchments  in  the  enemy's 
possession  ;  they  were  in  position  successfully  to  assail  my  position 
and  the  water  batteries  ;  and  that  with  my  weakened  and  exhausted 
force,  I  could  not  successfully  resist  the  assault  which  would  be  made 
at  daylight  by  a  vastly  superior  force.  I  further  remarked  that  I  un- 
derstood the  principal  object  of  the  defence  of  Donelson  to  be  to  cover 
the  movement  of  General  A.  S.  Johnston's  army  from  Bowling  Green 
to  Nashville,  and  that  if  that  movement  was  not  completed,  it  was  ray 
opinion  that  we  should  attempt  a  further  defence,  even  at  the  risk  of 
the  destruction  of  our  entire  force,  as  the  delay  even  of  a  few  hours 
might  gain  the  safety  of  General  Johnston's  force.  General  Floyd 
remarked  that  General  Johnston's  army  had  already  reached  Nash- 
ville. 

I  then  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  wrong  to  subject  the 
army  to  a  virtual  massacre  when  no  gool  could  result  from  the  sacri- 
fice;  and  that  tlie  general  officers  owed  it  to  their  men,  when  further 
resistance  was  unavailing,  to  obtain  the  best  terms  of  capitulation 
possible  for  them.  General  Floyd  expressed  himself  in  similar  terms, 
and  in  his  opinion  I  understood  General  Pillow  to  acquiesce.  For 
reasons  which  he  has  stated,  General  Floyd  then  announced  his  pur- 
pose to  leave,  with  such  portion  of  his  division  as  could  be  transported, 
in  two  small  steamers,  Avhich  were  expected  about  daylight.  General 
Pillow,  addressing  General  Floyd,  then  remarked  that  he  thought 
there  were  no  two  persons  in  the  Confederacy  whom  the  **  Yankees" 
would  prefer  to  capture  than  himself  and  General  Floyd,  and  asked 
the  lattcr's  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  his  accompanying  General 
Floyd.  To  this  enquiry  the  latier  replied  that  it  was  a  question  for 
every  man  to  deci<le  for  himself.  General  IMllow  then  aildressed  the 
snquiry  to  me,  to  which  I  remarked  that  I  could  only  reply  as  General 
Floyd  had  done ;  that  it  was  a  question  for  every  officer  to  decide  for 
himself,  and  that  in  my  own  case  I  regarded  it  as  my  duly  to  remain 
with  my  men  and  share  their  fat«,  whatever  it  might  be. 

General  Pillow,  however,  announced  his  purpose  to  leave,  when 
General  Floyd  flirectcd  me  to  consider  myself  in  command.  I  re- 
marked that  a  capitulation  would  be  as  bitter  to  me  as  it  could  be  to 
any  one,  but  I  regarded  it  as  a  necessity  of  our  position,  and  I  could 
not  reconcile  it  with  my  sense  of  duty  to  separate  my  fortunes  from 
those  of  my  command. 

It  is  due  to  General  Pillow  to  state  that  some  time  after  the  com- 
mand had  been  transferred  to  me,  and  while  preparations  were  making 
for  his  departure,  he  returned  to  the  room  and  said  to  General  Floyd 
and  myself  that  he  wished  it  understood  that  ho  had  thought  it  wouM 
have  been  better  to  have  held  the  fort  another  day  in  ordur  to  await 
the  arrival  of  steamers  to  transport  the  troops  across  the  river.  I 
again  recapitulated  my  reasons  for  Uiinking-  it  impossible  to  hold  our 
position ;  and  whatever  may  have  been  General  Pillow's  opinion,  he 


T6 

certainly  impressed  itie  with  the  belief  that  he  again  acquiescoJ  in  the 
neccssit}'^  of  a  surrender. 

It  was  now  near  daylight  of  Sunday  morning,  the  IGth.  I  ordered 
the  troops  back  to  their  positions  in  entrenchments,  and  addressed  a 
note,  a  copy  of  wliich  is  enclosed,  to  the  Federal  commander.  Briga- 
dier General  U,  S.  Grant.  His  reply  is  also  transmitted.  When  it 
was  received,  but  a  small  portion  of  the  troops  had  returned  to  their 
lines.  A  portion  of  my  field  guns  had  been  spiked  when  the  troops 
had  been  witlidrawn  under  General  Floyd's,  order.  The  gunners  had 
not  yet  returned  to  the  water  batteries.  A  degree  of  confusion, 
amounting  almost  to  a  state  of  disorganization,  resulting  from  the 
knowledge  of  our  position,  pervaded  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
troops.  A  corps  of  not  less  than  fifteen  thousand  of  the  enemy,  with 
fifteen  pieces  of  artillery,  were  in  position  to  assault  the  extreme  right 
of  the  line,  Avhich  was  efl'ectually  turned,  and  the  water  batteries  ex- 
posed to  assault,  without  the  power  of  resisting  the  attack.  At  the  point 
most. strongly  threatened  I  could  not  have  opposed  at  the  time  a  thou- 
sand men.  Every  road  leading  from  the  lines  was  cnectually  closed. 
Even  the  river  road,  by  which  the  cavalry  had  left,  and  which  was 
impassable  by  infantry,  was  closed  by  a  force  of  the  enemy  within 
fifteen  minutes  after  Forrest  had  passed,  and  Overton's  cavalry  was 
forc.d  to  return  to  the  lines.  The  troops  were  broken  down  by  un- 
usual privations.  Most  of  them  had  labored  or  fought  almost  inces- 
santly for  a  week.  From  Thursday  morning  until  Saturday  night 
they  had  l»een  almost  constantly  under  fire.  From  Thursday  evening 
until  Sunday  morning  they  had  suffered  intensely  in  a  heavy  snow- 
storm, and- from  intcise  cold,  almost  without  shelter,  with  insufficient 
food,  and  almost  without  sleep.  They  had  behaved  with  a  galhmtry 
unsurpassed,  until  the  "power  of  further  endurance  was  exhausted. 
The  supply  of  ammunition  was  very  small.  The  aggregate  of  the 
army,  never  greater  than  twelve  thousand,  was  never  reduced  to  less 
than  nine  thousand  men  after  the  departure  of  General  Floyd's  brigade. 
The  investing  force  of  the  enemy  was  about  fifty  thousand  strong,  and 
considerably  exceeded  that  force  by  the  following  morning.  Under 
these  circumstances  no  alternative  was  left  me  but  to  accept  the  terms 
demamlcd  by  our  ungenerous  enemy.  A  copy  of  the  order  cf  General 
Grant,  fixing  the  terms  of  the  surrender,  is  herewith  enclosed. 

I  do  not  seek  to  avoid  any  responsibility  which,  in  the  judgment  of 
the  President,  may  attach  to  my  action,  which  was  guiced  in  every 
instance  by  a  feeling  of  duty.  My  chief  wi.sh  is,  that  he  will  find  it 
consistent  with  the  public  interest  to  permit  me  still  to  unite  my  for- 
tunes in  the  contest  for  independence  with  those  of  the  brave  men 
whose  gallantry  I  have  witnessed,  whose  dangers  and  hardships  I 
have  shared,  and  in  common  with  whom  I  have  endured  the  privations 
of  imprisonment  amongst  a  vindictive  and  tyrannical  foe.  I  cannot 
close  tliis  report  v/ithout  calling  special  attention  to  the  gallant  and 
able  conduct  of  my  brigade  commanders.  Colonel  John  C.  Brown,  of 
the  3rd  Tennessee,  and  Colonel  Alfilliam  E.  Baldwin,  of  the  14th  Mis- 
sissippi, and  of  Colonel  R.  W.  Hanson,  commanding  the  2d  Kentucky, 
detached  from  Breckinridge's  Kentucky  brigade.     For  the  operations 


of  Colonel  Baldwin's  troops,  I  refer  to  tis  report,  as  he  was  Jetacliccl 
froTD  my  commanrl  during  the  siege.  But  lie,  as  well  as  the  other  two 
officers,  were  conspicuous  on  every  occasion  for  their  gallantry  and 
military  judgment,  and  merit  the  special  approlation  of  the  Govern- 
ment. 

Amongst  the  regimental  commanders,  Colonel  J.  M.  Lillard  and 
Colonel  E.  C.  Cook  merit  the  highest  commendation  for  their  gallant 
hearing  and  the  excellent  manner  in  which  they  handled  their  r  gi- 
ments  ;  and  Major  W.  L.  Doss  hchaved  with  marked  gallantry.  Major 
George  B.  Cosby,  ray  chief  of  staff,  deserves  the  highest  commenda- 
tion for  the  gallant  and  intelligent  discharge  of  his  duties;  and  the 
other  members  of  my  staff  are  entitled  to  my  thanks  for  their  gallantry 
and  for  the  efficient  discharge  of  their  appropriate  duties:  Lieutenant 
Charles  F.  Johnson,  aid-dc-camp;  Lieutena.»t  T.  J.  Clay,  acting  aid; 
Major  Alexander  Cassiday,  acting  inspector  general ;  Major  S.  K. 
Hays,  quartermaster;  Captain  R.  C.  Wintersmith,  commissary  of 
subsistence ;  Major  Davidson,  chief  of  artillery ;  Mr.  J.  N.  Gallaher, 
acting  aid  ;  Mr;  Moore,  acting  topographical  officer;  Mr.  J.  Walker 
Taylor,  commanding  a  detachment  of  guides,  and  Mr.  D.  B.  Buckner, 
volunteer  aid.  Major  Barbour,  A.  D.  C,  to  Brigadier  General  Tilgh- 
man,  though  wounded,  remained  with  me  on  the  13th,  I  cannot  be- 
stow sufficient  praise  upon  Captain  Porter  and  Captain  Rice  E, 
Graves,  and  their  officers  and  men  for  the  gallant  and  efficient  hand- 
ling of  their  batteries.  xVrtillery  was  never  better  served,  and  artil- 
lerists never  behaved,  under  trying  circumstances,  Avith  greater  cool- 
ness. Porter's  battery,  from  its  more  exposed  position,  lost  more  than 
half  its  gunners,  and  its  intrepid  commander  was  severely  wounded 
late  in  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  being  succeeded  in  command  by  the 
gallant  Lieutenant  Morton. 

Captain  Jackson's  Virginia  battery,  though  not  so  frequently  en- 
gaged, is  entitled  to  notice. 

For  an  understanding  of  the  particular  operations  of  General  Pil- 
low's division,  I  refer  you  to  the  reports  of  his  brigade  commanders, 
Colonel  William  E.  Baldwin,  Colonel  A.  Ileiman,  Colonel  John  Gregg, 
and  to  the  reports  of  their  subordinate  commanders. 

Accompanying  this  report  is  a  list  of  the  strength  of  my  division 
and  of  its  killed  and  wounded.  My  aggregate  force  at  the  beginning 
of  the  contests,  which  was  constantly  diminishing,  did  not  exceed 
3,025  infantry,  and  two  batteries  artillery.  Two  of  my  regiments,  in 
addition,  844  men,  were  constantly  under  the  command  of  General 
Pillow.  The  length  of  my  lines  exceeded  three-fourths  of  a  mile. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant. 

S.  B.  BUCKNER, 
Brigadier  GcTicral  C.  S.  A., 

Lately  commanding  2d  Division  Central  Army  of  Kentucky. 
To  General  S.  Coorrn, 

Adjutant  and  Insjycdor  Gtncral,  C,  S.  A., 
Richmond,  Va. 


CORRESrOXDENCE  REFERRED  TO  IN   GEN.   BUCKNER'S 

.     REPORT. 


Headquarters  Fort  D 


iADQUARTERS  i'ORT  UoNELSON,  ) 

February  16tli,  18G2.      5 


Sir  : — In  consideration  of  all  the  circumstances  governing  the  pre- 
sent situation  of  affairs  at  this  station,  I  propose  to  tjie  commanding 
oflBcer  of  the  Federal  forces  tlie  appointment  of  commissioners  to 
agree  upon  terms  of  capitulation  of  the  forces  and  post  under  my 
command,  and  in  that  view  suggest  an  armistice  until  12  o'clock  to* 
day.  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  S.  B.  BUCKNER, 

Brigadier  General^  C  S.  A^ 
To  Brigadier  General  U.  S.  Grant, 

Commandiag  U>  S.  Forces  near  Fort  Donelson, 


Reply  of  General  Grant  to  a  proposal  for  an  Armistice. 

Headquarters  Army  in  the  Field, 
Camp  near  Donelson,  February  16,  18G2, 

General  S.  B,  Buckner, 

Confederate  Army : 

Sir  : — Yours  of  this  date  proposing  armistice   and  appointment  of 
commissioners  to  settle  terms  of  capitulation,  is  just  received. 

No  terms,  except  unconditional  and  immediate  surrender,  can  be  ac- 
cepted.    I  propose  to  move  immediately  upon  your  trorks. 
I  am,,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

IT.  S.  GRANT, 
Brigadier  General. 


79 


[Copy.] 
Reply  of  General  Bxickner  to  General  U.  S.  Grant. 

Headquarters 
Dover,  Tenn.,  Feb.  16,  1862.. 
To  Brigadier  General  U.  S.  Grant, 

United  States  Army  : 
S[R  : — Tlie  distribution  of  the  forces  under  my  command,  incident 
to  an  unexpected  change  of  commanders,  and  the  overwhelming  force 
under  your  command,  compel  me,  notwithstanding  the  brilliant  suc- 
cess of  the  Confederate  arms  yesterday,  to  accept  the  ungenerous  and 
unchivalrous  terms  which  you  propose. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  S.  P.  BUCKNER, 

JBrigadiiv  General  C.  S.  A. 


Agreement  of  General  Grant  to  allow  officers  taken  at  Donelson  to  retain 
their  side  arms,  ^c,  ^'c. 

Headquarters  Army  in  the  Field,  ) 
Fort  Dom.lson,  Feb.  16,  1862.       \ 

Special  Order. 

All  prisoners  taken  at  the  surrender  of  Fort  Donelson  will  be  col- 
lected as  rapidly  as  practicable  near  the  village  of  Dover,  under  their 
respective  company  and  ri^gimental  commanders,  or  in  such  manner 
as  may  be  doomed  best  by  Brigadier  General  S.  B.  Buckner,  and  will 
receive  two  days  rations  preparatory  to  embarking  for  Cairo. 

Prisoners  are  to  be  allowed  their  clothing,  blankets  and  such  pri- 
vate property  as  may  be  carried  about  the  person,  and  commissioned 
officers  will  be  allowed  their  side  arms. 

By  order,  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Brigadier  General. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  J..  F.  GILMER,  CHIEF 
ENGINEER,  UPONTEE  DEFENCE  OF  FORTS  HENRY  AND 

DONELSON. 


Engineer's  Office,  > 
Decatur,  Alv.,  March  17,  1862.       J 

Colonel.  W.^V.  Mack  all, 

A.  A.    General,  Western  Department^ 
Decatur,  Ala.  : 

Colonel:  In  obedience  to  General  Johnston's  orders  of  January 
29th,  received  at  Nashville,  I  proceeded  the  next  day  to  Fort  Donel- 
son,  and  thence  to  Fort  Henry,  to  inspect  the  Avorks,  and  direct  what 
was  necessary  to  be  done   at  both. 

I  arrived  at  Fort  Henry  the  afternoon  of  the  31st,  -when  I  met 
Brig.  Gen,  Tilghman,  commanding  the  defences  on  the  Tennessee 
and  Cumberland  rivers.  By  the  exertions  of  the  commanding  General, 
aided  by  Lieutenant  Jos.  Dixon,  his  engineer  officer,  the  main  fort, 
(a  strong  field  work  of  fine  bastion  front)  had  been  put  in  a  good  con- 
dition fur  defence,  and  seventeen  guns  mounted  on  substantial  plat- 
fcm-j;  twelve  of  which  were  so  placed  as  to  bear  well  on  the  river. 
These  twelve  guns  were  of  the  following  description  :  One  ten-inch 
Columbiad,  one  rifled  gun  of  24-pounder  calibre,  (weight  of  ball  62 
lbs.,)  two  42-pounders,  and  eight  32-pounders,  all  arranged  to  fire 
througli  embrasures,  formed  by  raising  the  parapet  between  the  guns 
with  sand  bags,  carefully  laid. 

In  addition  to  placing  the  main  Avork  in  good  defensive  order,  I 
found  that  extensive  lines  of  infantry  cover  had  been  thrown  up  by 
the  troops  forming  the  garrison,  with  a  view  to  hold  commanding 
ground,  that  would  be  dangerous  to  the  fort,  if  possessed  by  the 
enemy. 

These  lines  and  the  main  work  Avere  on  the  right  hand  of  the  river, 
and  arranged  with  good  defensive  relations,  making  the  place  capable 
of  offering  a  strong  resistance  against  a  land  attack  coming  from  the 
eastward. 

On  the  left  bank  of  the  river  there  was  a  number  of  hills  within 
cannon  range,  that  commanded  the  river  batteries  on  the  right  bank. 

The  necessity  of  occupying  these  hills,  was  apparent  to  me  at  the 
time  I  inspected  Fort  Henry,  early  in  November  last,  and  on  the  21st 
of  that  month,   Lieutenant  Dixon,   the  local   engineer,   was  ordered 


81 

from  Fort  Donelson  to  Fort  Henry,  to  make  the  necessary  surveys, 
and  construct  the  additional  works.  He  was  at  the  same  time  in- 
formed that  a  large  force  of  slaves,  with  troops  to  protect  them,  from 
Alabama,  would  report  to  him  for  the  work,  which  was  to  be  pushed 
to  completion  as  early  as  possible. 

The  surveys  were  made  by  the  engineer  and  plans  decided  upon 
without  delay,  but  by  some  unforeseen  cause  the  negroes  were  not 
sent  until  after  the  1st  of  January  last.  Much  valuable  time  was 
thus  lost,  but  under  your  urgent  orders,  when  informed  of  the  delay, 
General  Tilghman  and  his  engineers  pressed  these  defences  forward  so 
rapidly  night  and  day,  that  when  I  reached  the  Fort  (31st  January 
last,)  they  were  far  advanced,  requiring  only  a  few  days  additional 
labor  to  put  them  in  a  state  of  defence.  But  no  guns  had  been  re- 
ceived that  could  be  put  in  these  works,  except  a  few  field  pieces ; 
and,  notwithstanding  every  effort  had  been  made  to  procure  them 
from  Richmond,  Memphis  and  other  points,  it  was  apprehended  they 
would  not  arrive  in  time  to  anticipate  the  attack  of  the  enemy,  which, 
from  the  full  information  obtained  by  General  Tilghman,  was  threat- 
ened at  an  early  day  either  at  Fort  Henry  or  Fort  Donelson,  or  pos- 
sibly on  both  at  the  same  time.  The  lines  of  infantry  cover,  however, 
which  had  been  thrown  up  were  capable  of  making  a  strong  resistance, 
even  without  the  desired  artillery,  should  the  attack  be  made  on  that 
(the  left)  bank  of  the  river.  Experimental  firing  with  the  ID-inch 
Columbiad,  mounted  in  main  work,  showed  a  defect  in  the  cast  iron 
carriage  and  chapis,  which  threatened  to  impair  the  usefulness  of 
this  most  important  gun.  With  the  ordinary  charge  of  sixteen 
pounds  of  powder,  the  recoil  was  so  great  as  to  cause  most  violent 
shocks  against  the  rear  heuster,  threatening  each  time  to  dismount 
the  piece.  With  the  aid  of  an  ingenious  mechanic,  clamps  v/ere  final- 
ly made  which  served  to  resist,  in  some  degree,  the  violence  of  the  re- 
coil. With  this  exception,  the  guns  bearing  on  the  river  were  in 
fair  working  order. 

After  the  batteries  of  the  main  Avork  were  mounted,  General  Tilgh- 
man found  much  difficulty  in  getting  competent  artillerists  to  man 
them,  and  he  was  not  supplied  with  a  sufiicicnt  number  of  artillery 
officers. 

Impressed  with  the  great  deficiency  in  the  preparations  for  defend- 
ing the  passage  of  the  river  at  Fort  Henry,  the  commanding  officer 
expressed  to  me  his  fears  that  it  might  cause  disaster  if  the  place 
were  vigorously  attacked  by  the  enemy's  gun-boats.  This  he  thought 
his  greatest  danger. 

In  conjunction  with  General  Tilghman,  I  made  every  effort  during 
the  three  days  I  remained  at  Fort  Honry  to  get  all  the  works  and  bat- 
teries in  as  good  condition  for  defence  as  the  means  at  hand  would 
permit.  The  3d  of  F'cbruary  we  went  over  to*Fort  Donelson  to  do  the 
same.  The  works  there  required  additions  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
occupying  grounds  dangerous  to  the  river  batteries  and  the  field  work, 
irhioh  had  been  constructed  for  the  imrae'liate  defence  landward. 

It  was  also  important  that  better  protection  should  be  made  for 
the  heavy  guns  ^^mounted  for  the  defence  of  the  river)   by   raising 


82 

the  parapet  with  sq.nd  bag3  between  the  guns  to  give  greater  protec- 
tion to  the  gunnersl 

The  3'1  and  4th  days  of  February  were  devoted  to  making  prepara- 
tions for  this  work,  and  locating  lines  of  infantry  cover  on  the  com- 
manding ground  around  the  fort. 

In  the  midst  of  these  labors  on  the  4th,  heavy  firing  was  heard  in 
the  direction  of  Fort  Henry,  which  warned  General  Tilghman  that 
the  enemy  had  made  his  attack  upon  that  work.  This  was  soon  con- 
firmed by  a  report  from  Colonel  Heiman  to  the  effect  that  the  gun- 
boats had  opened  fire,  and  that  troops  were  being  landed  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  three  and  a  half  to  four  miles  below  the  fort.  The 
General  decided  to  return  to  the  Tennessee  river  at  once,  and  expressed 
with  some  anxiety  a  wish  that  I  would  accompany  him,  1  finally 
took  the  responsibility  of  doing  so,  with  the  hope  that  my  professional 
services  might  possibly  prove  useful  during  the  defence.  On  arriving 
atFort  Henry,  we  found  the  enemy  had  landed  additional  troops  below, 
and  that  every  preparation  was  being  made  to  attack  by  land  and 
water. 

The  necessary  dispositions  for  defence  were  at  once  entered  upon 
bv  making  a  special  organization  of  the  troops,  and  assigning  com- 
mands to  the  officers. 

Early  the  next  morning,  5th  .February,  the  troops  were  drawn  out 
underarms,  and  marched  to  the  respective  points  each  body  was  to  de- 
fend— this,  with  a  view  to  ensure  order  in  case  it  became  necessary  to 
form  promptly,  in  face  of  the  enemy.  The  main  body  of  the  forces 
■was  assigned  to  the  defence  of  the  advanced  lines  of  infantry  corer, 
•where  they  were  in  a  measure  beyond  the  range  of  shot  and  shell  from 
the  gun-boats,  and  the  troops  inside  of  the  main  fort  w^ere  to  be  limited 
to  the  men  who  had  received  some  instructions  in  the  use  of  heavy 
sruns.  and  such  additional  force  as  could  be  useful  in  bringing  up  full 
supplies  of  ammui  iti^  n.  Those  assigned  to  the  Fort  were  practiced 
at  the  battery,  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the  commanding 
officer,  and  each  one  taught,  with  as  much  care  as  possible,  his  duty  in 
anticipation  of  the  tlireatened  attack. 

In  such  preparations,  the  d;iy  was  consumed,  and  it  was  only  at 
nightfall  that  the  troops  were  reiievcd,  to  seek  food  and  rest;  it  being 
quite  apparent  that  the  enemy  would  not  attack  until  next  day. 

ATTACK  ON  FOUT  lU-NRY,  6tI1  FEBRUAHT,  18G2. 

During  the  early  part  cf  the  day,  preparations  of  the  enemy,  for  an 
advance,  Avith  his  gun-boats,  could  bo  observed  Irom  the  Fort— ^also, 
the  movements  of  troops  at  their  encampments,  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  below — making  it  evident  that  wc  were  lo  bo  attacked  by  land  as 
•well  as  by  water. 

About  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  one  of  the  gun-boats  had  reached 
the  head  of  the  Island,  about  one-and-a,-third  miles  below  our  batte- 
ries; another  soon  followed,  then  a  third,  and  a  fourth — all  coming  as 
nearly  abreast  as  the  width  of  the  river  would  permit.  As  soon  as  this 
line  was  formed,  a  rapid  fire  was  opened  upon  our  works — (about  half- 


83 

fiast  twelve  o'clock) — wliich  was  returned  with  spirit  by  our  gunners, 
who  were  all  at  their  places,  eager  for  the  contest.  In  a  short  time 
after,  the  rifled  cannon  burst,  killing  three  of  the  men  at  the  piece,  and 
'disabling  a  number  of  others. 

The  effect  of  this  explosion  was  very  serious  upon  our  artillerists- 
first,  because  it  made  them  doubt  the  strength  of  these  largo  guns,  to 
resist  the  shock  of  full  charges — and  secondly,  because  much  was  ex- 
pected from  the  long  range  of  rifled  cannon  against  the  gun-boats. 
•Still,  all  stood  firmly  to  their  work,  under  a  moot  terrific  fire  from 
the  advancing  foe,  whose  approach  was  steady  and  constant. 

From  ths  rear  of  their  lines  a  fifth  gun-boat  was  observed  to  be  firing 
curvated  shot,  many  of  which  f?ll  within  the  work,  but  io  tlio  rear 
•of  our  guns; — many  shot  and  sliell  were  lodged  in  the  parapet,  making 
deep  penetrations,  but  in  no  case  passing  through,  unless  tl\ey  struck 
the  check  of  an  embrasure.  One  of  the  32-pounder  guns  was  struck 
by  a  heavy  shell  passing  through  the  embrasure.  All  the  gunners  at 
this  piece  were  disabled,  and  the  gun  rendered  unfit  for  service. 

About  the  same  moment,  a  premature  discharge  occurred  at  one  of 
the  'IC-pounder  guns,  causing  the  death  of  three  men,  and  seriously 
injuring  the  chief  of  the  piece  and  others. 

Not  many  moments  later,  it  was  observed  that  the  10-inch  Colura- 
biad  was  silent;  the  cause  of  which  was  at  once  examined'  into  by 
General  Tilghraan,  and  it  was  found  that  the  priming  wire  had  been 
jammed  and  broken  in  the  vent.  A  blacksmith,  [I  regret  1  cnnnot 
recall  the  name  of  the  gallant  soldier],  was  sent  for,  and  he  labored 
■with  great  coolness  for  a  long  time,  exposed  to  the  warmest  fire  of  the 
«neray,  but  in  spite  of  his  faithful  and  earnest  efforts,  the  broken 
"wire  remained  in  the  vent,  making  this  important  gun  unserviceable 
for  the  continued  contest.  By  this  time  the  gun-boats,  by  a  steady 
advance,  had  reached  positions  not  over  eix  or  seven  hundred  yarda 
from  the  fort.  Our  artillerists  became  very  much  discouraged,  when 
they  sav/  the  two  heavy  guns  disabled,  the  enemy's  boats  apparently 
uninjured,  and  still  drawing  nearer  and  nearer.  Soise  of  them  even 
ceased  to  work  the  32-pounder  gun?,  under  the  belief  that  such  shot 
■were  too  light  to  produce  any  effect  upon  the  iron-clad  side  >  of  the 
•enemy's  boats. 

Seeing  this.  Gen.  Tilghman  did  every  thing  that  it  was  possible  to 
<io,  to  encourage  and  urge  his  men,  to  further  eflorts.  llo  assisted  to 
serve  one  of  the  pieces  himself  for  at  least  fifteen  minutes;  but  Lis 
men  wore  exhausted,  had  lost  all  hope,  and  there  were  none  othens  to 
replace  them  at  the  guns.  Finally,  after  the  firing  had  continueii 
about  an  hour  and  five  minutes,  but  two  guns  from  our  batteries  re- 
sponded to  the  rapid  firing  of  the  enemy,  whose  shots  were  telling 
with  effect  upon  our  parapets.  It  was  then  suggested  to  the  (icncraj, 
that  all  was  lost,  unless  lie  could  replace  the  men  at  the  guns,  by 
others  who  were  not  exhausted,  lie  replied:  "I  shall  not  give  up 
the  work,"  and  then  made  an  effort  to  get  men  from  the  outer  lincH,  to 
continue  the  struggle.  Failing  in  this,  he  sent  inslructiontj  to  the 
commanders  of  tho  troops  in  the  exterior  liics  to  withdraw  their 
forces.      As  soon  as  this  movement  was  commenced,  confusion  among 


84 

the  retiring  troops  followed — many  thinking  it  intended  for  a  rapid 
retreat  to  escape  from  the  cnen^y's  forces,  expected  to  approach  from 
the  point  of  landing  below.  A  few  momenta  later,  the  flag  was  low- 
ered. 

From  information  received,  the  strength  of  the  enemy  was  estimated 
jit  nine  thousand  men.  These  forces  were  advancing  to  cut  off  the 
communications  with  Fort  Donelson.  Probably  the  movement  would 
bave  proved   a  success,  had  the  garrison  remained  a  few  hours  longer. 

-  Our  force  at  Fort  Henry  was  about  5,200,  of  which,  less  than  100 
were  surrendered  with  the  Fort. 

The  fall  of  Fort  Henry,  and  the  power  cf  the  enemy  to  strike,  at 
once,  with  an  immense  force  at  Fort  Donelson,  made  it  necessary  that 
the  army  at   Bowling  Green,  should  be  withdraw.n  to  a  point  which 
would  secure  a  prompt  passage  of  the  Cumberland  river.     The  vicin-  . 
ity  of  Nashville  seemed  the  proper  position.     If  the  eneray  were  de- 

•'feated  at  Donelson,  with  prompt  reinforcements,  there  was  still  a  hope 
that  your  army  might  resist  the  invader,  and  defend  that  city;  if 
Donelson  fell,  it  could  be  promptly  passed  to  the  South  bank  of  the 
river. 

DEFENCE  OF  FORT  DONELSON. 

The  capture  of  Fort  Henry  was,  for  the  enemy,  a  great  success, 
which,  it  was  felt,  would  embolden  him  to  make  an  early  attack  upon 
Fort  Donelson. 

To  meet  this  every  effort  was  made  to  strengthen  the  defences. 
Lines  of  infantry  cover  were  laid  ©ut  on  commanding  grounds  around 
the  place,  and  fatigue  parties  were  daily  employed  in  their  construc- 
tion. To  aid  the  local  engineer  in  the  work  of  defence,  I  remained  at 
the  Fore  the  seventh,  eighth  and  ninth  of  February,  when  General 
Pillow  took  command  of  the  whole.  At  his  request,  I  asked  and 
received  authority  to  remain  and  aid  in  the  defence. 

Immediately  on  his  arrival  the  General  took  active  measures  to  in- 
form himself  as  to  the  character  of  the  defences,  and  had  the  additional 
works  pressed  forward  with  the  greatest  activity.  Having  received 
reinforcements,  and  others  being  expected  daily,  the  lines  of  infantry 
cover  were  extended  so  as  to  embrace  the  town  of  Dover,  where  many 
of  jur  munitions  were  stored.  The  time  for  these  works  being  decided 
upon,  they  were  at  once  pressed  to  completion,  and  the  batteries  for 
the  defence  of  the  river  strengthened 

By  the  night  of  the  12th,  these  were  in  readiness,  and  the  heavy 
guns  recently  received  at  the  Fort  were  mounted.  To  provide  an 
ample  force  of  artillerists  to  work  the  heavy  guns,  through  a  long 
continued  attack,  General  Pillow  detailed  (Japtain  R.  R.  Ross  and 
his  company  of  well  drilled  men  from  his  battery  to  aid  in  the  river 
defence.  The  selection  of  this  officer  and  his  command  proved  most 
■  fortunate,  as  in  the  obstinate  attack  that  was  made  by  the  gun-boats 
they  performed  noble  and  effective  service. 

Brigadier  General  Buckner  arrived  at  Fort  Donelson  on  the  after- 
.  aoon  of  the  12th. 


85 

In  the  meamtirae,  the  enemy  had  landed,  in  large  force,  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  below,  and  other  troops  were  brought  over  frora 
Fort  Henry.  The  smoke  of  his  gun-boats  was  seen  in  the  distance, 
warning  us  that  a  combined  attack  was  to  be  expected.  Skirmishes 
were  frequent  between  our  pickets  and  the  enemy's  forces  advancing 
to  meet  us. 

On  the  13th  the  besiegers  opened,  with  artillery,  upon  our  land  de- 
fences;  and  their  sharpshooters  annoyed  our  men    constantly  when--; 
ever  exposed  above  the  infantry  covers,  as  at  the  field  batteries.     One 
of  the  gun-boats  commenced  firing  upon  the  river  batteries  early  ia 
the  day,   throwing  shot  and  shell  at  IfJng  range. 

The  same  morning  General  Floyd  arrived  with  reinforcements,  in- 
cluding three  batteries  of  field  artillery,  which  were  placed  in  position 
as  promptly  as  possible.     The  enemy's  fires  were  kept  up  throughout 
the   day,  and   responded  to  with  spirit  by  our  artillery  and  infantry.. 
In  the  afternoon  an  attempt  was  made  to  storm  the  entrenchments. 
on  the  heights  near   our    centre,    but    failed — the    assailants    being 
handsomely  repulsed.  One  of  the  guns  in  the  river  batteries  was  struck. 
by  a  heavy  shot  from  the  gun-boat,  disabling  the  carriage  and  killing! 
Lieutenant  Joseph   Dixon,  the  local  engineer  officer.     Our  total  loss 
during  the  day  was  considerable,  but  I  am  unable  to  report  numbers.- 

The  contest  of  the  day  closed.  The  enemy  had  gained  no  footing  on 
our  works,  or  produced  any  important  impression  upon  them.  But 
our  forces  were  much  fatigued,  having  been  under  arms  all  day,  and 
this  after  three  or  four  days  hard  labor  upon  the  entrenchments.  To 
add  to  their  sufferings  it  turned  suddenly  cold  in  the  afternoon,  and, 
at  dark,  commenced  snowing  and  continued  the  greater  part  of  the 
night.  Inclement  as  was  the  weather,  it  was  necessary  (to  guard 
against  surprise)  that  the  troops  should  be  all  night  in  position  along 
the  lines  of  infantry  cover.  The  next  day,  the  lUli,  the  besiegers 
brought  up  large  reinforcements,  just  landed  from  numerous  trans- 
ports, and  extended  their  lines,  in  great  strength,  towards  their  right, 
enveloping  our  extreme  left.  They  took  positions  that  placed  it 
in  their  power  to  plant  batteries  on  the  river  bank  above,  and  cut  off 
our  communications.  Such  appeared  to  be  their  design.  In  conse- 
quence of  these  movements  the  firing  of  the  enemy  was  less  frequent- 
than  on  the  previous  day. 

Early  on  this  afternoon  the  gun-boats  were  observed  to  be  advancing 
to  attack  the  river  batteries,  and  at  3  o'clock  a  vigorous  fire  was 
opened  from  five  boats  approaching  enchclon.  Our  gunners  reserved 
their  fire  until  the  gun-boats  had  come  within  effective  range,  and 
then  at  a  signal,  every  gun  was  fired — twelve  in  number.  This  fire- 
told  with  great  effect,  penetrating  the  iron  sides  of  the  boats.  The 
firing  now  became  terrific — the  enemy  still  advancing.  In  rear  of- 
the  five  boats  first  engaged,  a  sixth  was  reported  throwing  curvated 
shot,  which  passed  over  our  works,  exploding  in  the  air  just  abovo. 
After  some  time,  one  of  the  boats  was  seen  to  pull  back,  probably 
disabled  by  our  shot.  The  others  continued  to  advance  keeping  up  a 
rapid  fire. 

Our  batteries    were  well  served  and  responded  with  great  effect. 


86^' 

disxbling,  as  it  was  believed,  two  more  of  the  gun-boats.  Tlie  en^ 
gagement  lasted  until  ten  minutes  after  four  o'clock,  the  gun  boats 
having  spproached  to  within  three  hundred  or  four  hundred  yards 
of  our  guiis,  when  they  withdrew  from  the  contest.  Our  batteries 
vere  uninjured  a.nd  not  a  man  in  them  killed. 

The  repulse  of  the  gun-b^ats  closed  the  operations  of  the  day,  ex- 
cept a  few  scattering  shot  along  the  land  defences.  It  was  evident, 
however,  from  the  movements  of  numerous  bodies  of  troops  around 
onr  lines,  that  the   enemy  had  resolved  to  invest  us,  and,  when  pre- 

{jftrcd,  to  attack  us  in  overwhelming  numbers,  or  press  us  to  a  capitu- 
Btion  by  cutting  off  supplies  and  reinforcements. 

Generals  Floyd,  Pillow  and  Bnckner  met  in  council  soon  after 
dark  ;  I  was  present.  After  an  interchange  of  views,  it  was  decided 
to  attack  the  enemy  on  his  extreme  right  and  right  centre,  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  It  was  believed  that  the  enemy  might  be- 
drawn  back  and  an  opportunity  secured  to  withdraw  in  safety  our 
forces  ;  that  possibly  greater  advantages  might  be  gained  1^"  the  attack, 
which,  if  well  followed  up  on  our  part,  would  result  in  disaster  to 
the  invaders. 

This  being  decided-upon,  the  brigade  commanders  were  at  once  sent 
for,  and  the  positions  for  their  respective  commands  in  the  order 
of  attack  assigned.  Brigadier  General  Pillow  was  to  direct  the  move- 
ment against  the  right  of  the  enemy.  Brigadier  General  Buckner,. 
that  against  his  right  centre  advancing  along  the  Wynn's  ferry  road. 
A  few  regiments  were  to  remain  to  guard  the  linos. 

About  five  o'clock  next  morning  (the  15th,)  the  left  wing,  under 
General  Pillow,  moved  to  the  attack.  Brisk  fires  were  opened  and 
kept  up  by  tlie  enemy,  and  responded  to  Avith  spirit  from  our  lines,  his 
men  generally  overshooting,  while  ours  were  constantly  warned  to- 
«im  low. 

The  enemy's  fire,  after  sometime,  extended  towards  their  extreme- 
right,  indicating  a  design  to  turn  our  left.  To  meet  this,  a  body  of 
troops,  under  Brigadier  General  B.  S.  Johnson,  made  a  flank  move- 
ment and  mot  the  foe.  After  a  long  struggle,  the  enemy  finally  gave 
way,  at  first  falling  back  slowly.  Our  troops  pressed  forward,  and 
about  half  past  nine  o'clock,  his  right  wing  was  in  full  retreat.  Now, 
the  cavalry  on  our  extreme  left  was  brought  up  and  charged  with 
effect  on  the  retreating  enemy.  Six  field  pieces  were  captured  at  diffe- 
rent points,  and,  at  a  later  hour  of  the  day,  brought  within  the  line 
of  entrenchments.     Our  success  against  the  right  wing  was  complete. 

I  now  accompanied  General  Pillow  across  the  field  to  the  point  of 
attack  assigned  to  General  Buckncr's  division.  On  our  arrival  there, 
his  division  was  in  rear  of  the  lines  of  infantry  covers,  the  General 
and  his  oHlcers  encouraging  the  troops  to  renew  the  attack  on  the- 
enemy,  who  still  held  position  in  their  front.  General  Buckner  stated, 
that  he  had,  soon  after  the  firing.-  of  General  Pillow's  forces  was- 
heard,  opened  on  the  enemy  with  artillery,  and  followed  it  up  by 
sending  forward  two  of  his  best  regiments  to  the  assault,  that  they 
moved  forward  the  infantry  covers  with  spirit  over  and  advanced 
Bteadily  and  in  order  against  the  enemy.  They  were  soon  expose(J 
to  heavy  fires  of  small  arms,  and  of  a  field  battery  planted  in  their 


87 

front ;  and  tliey  responded  well  for  sometime  to  the  volleys  of  the  be- 
siegers, but  finally  their  ranks  were  tlirown  into  confusion,  and  they 
fell  back  rapidly  in  rear  of  our  entrenchments.  General  Buckner 
continued  to  encourage  his  men,  feeling  that  a  little  time  was  jie- 
cessary  to  overcome  the  dispiriting  effects  of  the  repulse  earlier  in 
the  day.  In  the  meantime,  the  fires  of  our  left  wing  were  heard 
steadily  advancing,  driving  the  enemy  back  upon  his  right  centre. 
This  was  referred  to  with  encouraging  effect  upon  General  Buckner'a 
division.  Artillery  fires  were  kept  up  against  the  enemy  in  his  front, 
and  soon  afterwards  he  moved  forward  with  his  division  to  renew  the 
■  attack.  The  enemy  being  now  pressed  in  front  of  his  centre  by  this 
advance,  and  on  his  right  flank  by  the  pursuing  forces  of  General 
Pillow's  divison,  retreated  rapidly  for  some  distance  towards  hi3 
left  wing;  but,  receiving  heavy  reinforcements,  the  pursuit  Avas 
checked,  and  finally  the  retreating  foe  made  a  firm  stand,  opening 
from  a  field  battery,  strongly  supported  by  masses  of  infantry. 

About  one  o'clock  an  order  was  given  by  General  Pillow,  recalling 
our  forces  to  the  defensive  lines.  Our  forces  having  returned,  they 
were  ordered  to  the  positions  they  occupied  the  day  previous,  involv- 
ing a  march  of  over  a  mile  for  the  troops  on  the  extreme  right. 
The  enemy  at  the  same  time  advanced  with  his  reinforcements  to  at- 
tack that  flank,  and  by  a  prompt  movement,  succeeded  in  effecting  a 
lodgment  within  the  lines,  just  as  our  exhausted  forces  arrived. 

A  vigorous  attempt  to  dislodge  him  failed,  and,  at  length,  our  men 
having  suffered  much,  fell  back,  leaving  him  in  possession  of  that  por- 
tion of  our  defences.  The  advantage  gained  by  the  enemy,  placed 
him  in  position  to  assault  our  right  in  fullforce  with  his  fresh  troops 
next  morning.  Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  when  the  dark- 
ness of  night  closed  the  bloody  struggle  of  the  day.  In  course  of 
the  night,  Generals  Floyd,  Pillow  and  Buckner,  met  in  council.  I 
was  not  present. 

The  following  morning  about  3  o'clock,  I  was  told  by  General 
Pillow  that  a  surrender  had  been  decided  on.  He  invited  me  to  join 
himself  and  staff,  as  the}^  were  not  included  in  the  proposed  surren- 
der. This  I  accepted  and  accompanied  him  to  Clarksville  and  Nash- 
ville, where  I  had  the  honor  to  report  to. you  in  person. 

From  information  received,  the  strength  of  the  enemy  at  Donelson 
was  estimated  to  be  about  fifty  thousand.  Our  effective  force  was 
about  fifteen  thousand. 

The  surrender  at  Fort  Donelson  made  Nashville  untenahle  by  the 
forces  under  your  command.  Situated  in  a  wide  basin,  intersected  by 
a  navigable  river,  in  possession  of  the  invader — approached  from  all 
directions  by  good  turnpike  roads,  and  surrounded  by  commanding 
hills,  involving  works  of  not  less  than  twenty  miles  in  extent,  the  city 
could  not  be  held  by  a  force  less  than  fifty  thousand.  "With  all  the  rein- 
forcements io  be  hoped  for,  your  army  could  not  he  raised  to  that 
number  before  the  place  would  have  been  attacked  by  heavy  forces  of 
the  enemy,  both  by  land  and  water.  The  alternative  was  to  withdraw 
to  the  interior  of  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

(Signed,)  J.  F.  GILMER, 

Liculcnant  Colonel  and  Chiff  Engineer,  Western  Department. 


REPOPwT  OF  G.  C.  WHARTON,  COMMANDING  FIRST  BRI- 

GADE. 


Headquarters  1st  Brigade,  Floyd's  Division,  ) 

Camp  near  Murfreesboro',  Tknn.,  Feb.  22,  1862.  ) 

Brigadier  General  John  B.  Floyd  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  parti- 
cipation of  this  brigade  in  the  engagement  at  Fort  Donelson  : 

The  advance  of  the  brigade,  the  5 1st  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers, 
reached  Dover,  one  mile  from  the  Fort,  about  1 1  P.  M.,  on  Friday,  the 
7th,  and  immediately  reported  to  Brigadier  General  B.  R.  Johnson, 
who  was  then  in  command,  and  was  ordered  to  encamp  near  the  wharf. 
About  4  P.  M.,  on  the  8th,  the  56th  Regiment  Virginia  Volunteers 
arrived  and  was  oi'dered  to  encamp  near  the  51st.  From  Saturday  to 
Wednesday  following  there  was  skirmishing  between  our  cavalry 
pickets  and  the  enemy.  On  Wednesday  our  pickets  were  driven  in 
and  the  enemy  reported  advancing  in  force ;  the  brigade  was  then  or- 
dered to  take  position  on  the  left  of  Brigadier  General  Buckner's  Di- 
vision, and  near  the  centre  of  our  line  of  defence.  Soon  after  taking 
position  the  enemy  commenced  to  throw  shot  and  shell,  which  did  no 
execution  ;  Captain  Porter's  battery  was  then  ordered  to  take  the  posi- 
tion which  had  been  assigned  fo  this  brio^adc,  and  we  were  ordered  to 
the  support  of  the  left  wing,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General  John- 
son. We  were  engaged  during  the  evening  and  night  in  constructing 
breastworks  and  rifle-pit's ;  during  Thursday  we  were  under  a  heavy- 
fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries.  There  were  also  frequent  engagements 
with  the  infantry,  in  all  of  which  the  enemy  were  repelled. 

Thursday  night  we  remained  again  in  the  ditches;  on  Fridny  there 
was  skirmishing  with  the  infantry  and  sharpshooters,  occasionally  sharp 
firing  from  the  batteries.  On  Friday  evening  occurred  the  terrific 
cannonading  between  the  gun-boats  and  the  fort,  some  of  the  shells 
from  the  boats  exploding  in  and  near  our  lines,  but  doing  no  injury.  On 
Saturday  morning  at  4  A.  M.,  the  brigade  was  withdrawn  from  the 
ditches  and  placed  in  line  by  order  of  Biigadier  General  Pillow,  to 
make  an  attack  on  the  enemy's  extreme  right  flank.  Colonel  Bald- 
win's brigade  was  placed  in  advance ;  this  brigade  followed  next ;  about 
6  o'clock  the  column  was  put  in  motion.  We  had  scarcely  passed  beyond 
the  line  of  our  defence  when  the  skirmishers  of  Colonel  Baldwin's 
Brigade  engaged  the  enemy's  pickets.  In  a  few  minutes  the  engagement 
became  general ;  we  were  then  ordered  to  deploy  and  advance,  which 


89 

was  done  with  spirit  and  promptness.  The  enemy,  after  a  very  obstinate 
resistance,  was  forced  to  retire,  but  were  either  rallied  or  reinforced 
on  the  Eeveral  ridges  from  which  they  were  again  and  again  driven. 
Our  men  cheering  as  they  charged,  pursued  them  nearly  two  miles, 
when  orders  were  received  that  we  should  retire  to  our  entrenchments. 
The  brigade  was  very  much  exhausted,  having  been  under  fire  or  in 
the  ditches  for  more  than  four  days.  The  loss  of  the  51st  was  9  killed, 
43  wounded,  and  5  missing  ;  of  the  j6th,  3  men  were  killed,  37  wounded, 
and  115  missing.  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  W.  Massie  commanded  the 
51st  regiment.  His  bearing  was  most  chivalric  and  gallant.  Captain 
G.  W.  Davis  gallantly  led  the  5Gth  regiment.  Lieut.  August  Vors- 
berg,  attached  to  the  brigade  as  Engineer  officer,  rendered  very  efficient 
service  in  rallying  and  leading  the  men,  and  throughout  the  day  dis- 
tinguished himself  for  gallantry  and  acts  of  daring.  To  mention  the 
many  individual  instances  of  heroism  and  dating  would  too  much 
lengthen  this  report ;  therefore,  suffice  it  to  say,  that  all  the  officers  and 
men  of  both  regiments  behaved  with  commendable  coolness  and  bravery. 

Captain  S.  H.  Newberry,  Lieutenants  Henderson  and  Painter,  of 
the  51st  were  wounded;  .Captain  D,  C.  Harrison  was  mortally  wounded 
whilst  leading  his  men  to  a  charge.  Lieutenants  Ferguson  and 
Haskins  were  also  wounded.  A  number  of  improved  arras  were  cap- 
tured and  brought  to  camp. 

On  Sunday  morning,  the  16th,  the  brigade  was  ordered  from  Fort 
Donelson  to  Nashville,  where  valuable  service  was  rendered  in  guarding 
and  shipping  Government  stores. 

Thursday  the  20th,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  this  place,  where  we 
are  now  in  camp. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

G.  C.  WHARTON, 
Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


REPOIIT  OF   COLONEL  JOHN   McCAUSLAND,  COMMAND- 
ING  SECOND  BRIGADE. 


Headquarters  Segoad  Brigade,  Floyd's  Division,  ) 
MuRFREESBORo'  Tenn.,  February  23.      ) 

Brigadier  General  John  B.  Floyd: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  action 
of  this  brigade,  on  the  13th,  14th  and  15th  of  February,  1862,  in  the 
engagement  near  Fort  Donelson,  between  the  Confederate  States  forces 
and  United  States  forces  under  General  Grant.  On  the  morning  of 
the  13th.  I  received  your  orders  to  proceed  at  once  from  Cumberland 
City  to  Fort  Donelson,  where  we  arrived  at  daylight,  and  were  at  once 
ordered  to  the  trenches.  This  brigade  was  posted  as  a  support  to 
Green's  battery  on  the  left  wing.  During  the '  entire  day,  the  enemy 
kept  up  an  incessant  firo  of  shot  and  shell  upon  the  battery  and  its 
support ;  the  men  and  officers  behaved  well  under  the  circumstances, 
and  soon  ])ecame  accustomed  to  the  firing.  There  were  five  men 
wounded  during  t'le  day.  On  the  14th,  there  was  continued  skirmish- 
ing with  artillery  and  musketry.  About  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  gun-boats 
commenced  a  heavy  bombardment  of  the  Fort,  the  shells  passing  over 
and  taking  the  line  of  works  in  reverse,  and  many  passing  over  and 
through  this  brigade;  however,  we  suffered  no  loss  and  gathered  seve- 
ral large  shells  (64\s  I  think).  About  dark,  another  battery  was 
posted  in  front  of  our  position,  and  during  the  night,  it  was  placed 
behind  a  good  earthwork,  thrown  up  by  the  men.  About  midnjght, 
I  received  orders  to  concentrate  my  brigade  near  the  left  wing,  which 
was  done  promptly,  and  at  daylight  of  the  morning  of  the  15th,  the 
column  under  General  Pillow,  sallied  from  the  left  and  engaged  the 
enemy  in  a  short  space  of  time. 

This  brigade  was  a  i-eserve  for  Colonel  BaldAvin's  brigade,  but  the 
enemy  pressing  his  right,  I  at  once  moved  up  to  his  support  and  en- 
gaged the  enemy  posted  in  thick  undergrowth  and  a  rough  and  rolling 
country.  I  ordered  the  firing  to  commence  as  soon  as  the  enemy  was 
in  sight.  They  were  advancing  just  in  front  of  the  36th  Virginia 
regiment.  They,  in  a  short  time,  were  checked,  and  then  I  ordered  a 
charge  upon  thera ;  the  men  came  up  with  a  shout  and  charged  the 
enemy,  routed  him,  and  pursued  him  for  two  miles,  when  we  were 
called  back  by  order  of  General  Pillow.  The  36th  Virginia  regiment 
had  14  killed,  and   46  wounded.     On  Sunday  moi'ning,  this  brigade 


91 

was  ferried  across  the  river  and  arc  now  arriving  at  tliis  camp.  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Ried  was  wounded  about  the  close  of  the  action.  Ho 
and  Major  Smith  behaved  o;a]lantly  during  the  day;  in  fact,  men  and 
otFicers  all  behaved  well.  We  captured  one  field  gun  and  200  Enfield 
muskets. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedieat  servant. 

JOHN  McCAUSLAND, 
Commanding  Second  Brigade. 


REPORT   OF   COLONEL   W.  E.   BALDWIN,   COMMANDING 
SECOND  BRIGADE. 


Fort  Warrf.n,  Boston  Harbor,') 
March  I2tb,  1862.  5 

Major  Gf-orge  B.  Cosbv, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Sir:  Left  by  General  Buckncr  at  Cumberland  City  on  the  11th 
of  February.  On  the  night  of  the  12th  instant,  I  received  orders  by 
telegraph  from  Brigadier  General  Pillow,  commanding  at  Fort  Donel- 
son,  to  hasten  to  that  place  with  two  regiments  of  my  command.  Tho 
26th  Tennessee,  Colonel  Lillard,  and  the  2Dth  Mississippi,  Colonel 
Reynolds,  were  immediately  embarked  and  arrived  at  Dover  about  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the  13th.  These  regiments  were 
at  first  posted  immediately  on  the  left  of  the  centre  of  our  lines  of 
rifle  trenches,  as  a  support  to  one  of  our  batteries.  This  disposition 
was  changed  after  daylight  the  same  morning;  the  26th  Mississippi 
being  placed  in  the  trenches  on  the  extreme  left,  and  the  26th  Tennes- 
see placed  in  reserve  as  a  support  to  the  former. 

About  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  commenced  a  brisk  artillery 
fire,  apparently  on  our  whole  line.  This  fire,  kept  up  with  but  little 
intermission  throughout  the  entire  day,  produced  but  little  effect  upon 
the  left  until  late  in  the  evening,  when,  the  enemy  having  reduced 
his  charges,  several  of  the  shells,  which  had  previously  passed  too 
high,  fell  in  our  midst,  mortally  wounding  one  man  and  slightly 
wounding  too  others  in  Colonel  Lillard's  regiment. 

On  the  'Ith  the  fire  was  not  renewed.  About  noon  General  Pillow 
directed  the  left  wing  to  be  formed  in  the  open  ground  to  the  left  and 
rear  of  our  position  in  the  lines,  for  the  purpose,  apparently,  of  attack- 
ing the  enemy's  right.  My  command,  to  which  the  2Uth  Mississippi, 
Major  Brown,  was  temporarily  attached,  constituted  the  advance,  in 
the  following  order:  1st,  the  26th  Mississippi;  2d,  the  26th  Tennes- 
see; 3d,  the  2(lth  Mississippi. 

Formed  in  column  by  platoon,  we  advanced  in  a  road  leading  from 
a  point  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  left  of  our  trenches,  and 
aitproacljing,  nearly  perpendicularly,  the  enemy's  right.  We  had 
proceeded  not  more  than  one-fourth  of  a  mile,  when  General  Pillow 
ordered  a  countermarch,  saying  that  it  Avas  too  late  in  the  day  to 
accomplish  anything;  and  we  returned  to  our  former  position  in  the 
lines. 


93 

Late  that  niglit  commanders  of  brigades  vrere  summoned  to  a  coun» 
cil  at  General  Pillow's  headquarters,  where,  after  being  duly  advised 
of  our  perilous  situation,  enveloped  by  a  largely  superior  force, 
■which  was  being  constantly  increased,  and  our  communication^,  already 
at  the  mercy  of  tlie  enemy,  it  was  unanimously  determine!  to  endea- 
vor to  extricate  the  army  by  a  bold  and  vigorous  attack  on  the  ri<yht 
of  the  Federal  lines  early  on  the  morrow. 

The  regiments  composing  our  left  wing  were  to  form  at  4  o'clock, 
A.  M,,  on  the  same  ground,  and  in  the  same  order  as  on  the  previous 
evening,  and  to  advance,  under  command  of  General  Pillow,  to  attack 
the  extreme  right  of  the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  posted  in  force  at  a 
distance  of  one  and  a-half  or  two  miles. 

This  movement  was  to  be  supported  by  our  right  Aving  under  Gene- 
eral  Buckner,  who  was  to  move  from  the  lines  at  a  later  period,  follow 
up  the  first  blow,  and,  should  the  combined  movement  not  prove  suc- 
cessful in  creating  a  panic  in  the  enemy's  ranks,  a  way  might  at  least 
be  opened  by  turning  his  right  for  the  egress  of  our  whole  force.  In 
anticipation  of  thus  attempting  our  escape,  the  men  were  directed  to 
take  knapsacks,  blankets,  and  all  the  rations  that  could  be  immediately 
provi(;ed. 

Precisely  at  10  minutes  past  4  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Saturday, 
the  15th,  General  Pillow  arrived  on  the  ground  and  found  my  three 
regiments,  which  were  to  constitute  the  advance,  formed  and  ready 
to  march.  Some  delay  was  caused  by  regiments  not  arriving  promptly, 
and  it  was  6  o'clock  before  the  column  was  pat  in  motion.  Marching 
by  the  right  flank  in  a  narrow  and  obstructed  by-road,  the  head  of 
the  column  had  advanced  not  more  than  one-third  of  a  mile,  when, 
ascending  a  slight  elevation,  the  advanced  guard, -composed  of  a  com- 
pany of  the  26th  Mississippi  deployed,  was  fired  upon  by  what  was 
supposed  at  first  to  be  only  the  enemy's  pickets.  A  second  company 
of  the  same  regiment  was  immediately  thrown  forward  to  support  the 
first;  but  both  were  soon  driven  back  by  a  brisk  and  well  sustained 
fire,  which  indicated  the  presence  of  considerable  force.  Meanwhile 
the  column  was  formed  by  company,  and  the  leading  regiment  deployed 
into  line  to  the  right.  This  method  of  forming  line  of  battle  was 
rendered  advisable  by  the  peculiar  features  of  the  ground,  which 
eloped  gently  to  the  right,  thickly  covered  with  timber.  About  ten 
yards  to  the  left  of  the  road,  and  running  nearly  parallel,  was  a  fence, 
which  bounded  on  that  side  an  open  field  of  some  4110  or  5'I0  acres 
extent.  This  field  afforded  no  protection  to  our  troops  if  broufrht 
"forward  into  line,"  but  would  expose  them,  in  executing  the  move- 
ment, to  a  destructive  fire,  should  the  enemy  have  taken  advantage  of 
the  position. 

In  executing  the  deployment,  the  26th  Mississippi  was  tliree  times 
thrown  into  confusion  by  the  close  and  rapid  fire  of  the  cncmv  taking 
the  men  in  flank,  and  three  times  were  they  rallied,  fini-hing  the 
movement  some  fifty  yards  to  the  rear,  and  a  little  to  the  right  of  the 
exact  point  whore  their  line  should  have  been  placed.  The  subsequent 
conduct  of  this  regiment  fully  demonstrates  the  fact  that  any  other 
than  forward  movements  arc  extremely  dangerous  with  volunteers,  for 


94 

during  the  remainder  of  the  day  both  officers  ahd  men  behared  with 
great  coolness  and  gallantry. 

The  2Gth  Tennessee  was  then  brought  forward,  and  five  companies 
deployed  so  as  to  occupy  the  space  bet\Yeen  the  fence  on  the  left,  and 
the  2'6th  Mississippi  on  the  right,  leaving  the  remaining  five  compa- 
nies in  column  in  the  road  to  strengthen  that  point,  which  would  evi- 
dently bee.  me  the  centre  and  pivot  of  operations. 

Ii^oon  after  this  disposition  was  completed,  a  staff  officer  having  been 
sent  to  advise  General  Pillow  that  the  enemy  was  before  us  in  force, 
other  regiments  were  sent  forward  from  the  rear  of  the  column  to  right 
and  left.  Col.  McCausland,  of  Virginia,  with  his  command,  formed 
on  the  right  of  the  26th  Mississippi,  the  1st  Mississippi,  Col.  Gregg's 
Te.xas,  and  Lt.  Col.  Lyon's  8th  Kentucky  regiments  were  formed  still 
farther  to  our  right,  the  latter  regiment  thrown  back  perpendicularly 
to  our  line  to  prevent  the  enemy  taking  advantage  of  the  cover  afford- 
ed l)y  the  slope  of  the  ground  to  turn  our  right. 

The  2()th  ]\rissippi  was  sent  into  action,  as  I  have  since  learned,  by 
direct  order  of  Gen.  Pillow,  and  caused  to  take  position  in  the  field  on 
the  left,  where  they  were  openly  exposed  to  a  destructive  fire,  which 
they  were  not  able  to  return  with  effect.  The  regiment  was  soon  re- 
called, but  not  before  its  left  wing  had  suffered  heavy  loss.  Our  line 
advanced  some  50  or  100  yards  up  the  slope  and  remained  stationary 
for  more  than  an  hour,  the  position  of  the  enemy  being  so  well  chosen 
and  covered,  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  gain  an  inch  of  ground.  A 
small  detachment  of  A^irginia  troops  on  the  left  of  the  26th  Tennessee, 
and  in  the  open'  field,  twice  endeavored  to  gain  ground  forward  to  a 
point  where  their  fire  could  be  effective,  but  ^Yerc  unable  to  stand  the 
destructive  effect  of  the  Minnie  balls. 

At  this  juncture  the  20th  Mississippi  again  came  up  across  the  field, 
and  took  possession,  slightly  covered  by  an  irregularity  of  the 
ground. 

Observing  a  regiment  or  -more  of  our  troops  posted  inactive,  somi' 
300  or  400  3'ard3  still  more  to  our  left,  where  the  shallow  ravine, 
(which  covered  our  front,)  spread  out  and  was  lost  in  the  plain,  1  re- 
tjuested  the  commanding  officer  to  chrow  forward  his  left  and  advance 
up  the  hollow  in  a  direction  nearly  parallel  to  our  line  of  battle,  and 
attacking  the  enemy's  right  flank.  This  movement  being  supported 
by  the  whole  line, — all  the  regiments  on  the  left  throAving  forward 
their  left  Avings,  we  succeeded  in  executing  a  change  of  front  to  the 
right,  turning  the  right  of  the  enemy,  and  driving  him  at  oiice  from 
liis  position. 

Up  to  this  time,  our  condition  was  one  of  extreme  peril,  and  noth- 
ing but  the  native  gallantry  of  troops,  brouglit  forth  the  first  time 
under  heavy  fire,  and  the  extraordinary  exertions  of  many  of  the  field 
and  company  officers,  saved  us  from  being  throv/n  back  in  confusion 
into  our  trenches. 

From  this  time,  the  enemy  were  slowly  driven  from  each  position, 
which  the  ground,  favorable  for  defence,  enabled  thera  to  take.  Two 
sections  of  artillery  were  taken.  Thjse,  placed  to  bear  on  our  line.^ 
of  rifle  trenches,  were  rushed  upon   in  flanks  and  seized  before  they 


95 

could  be  turned  upon  us,  or  be  taken  from  tlie  nold.  The  first  section 
■was  taken  by  tbe  26th  Tennessee,  the  second  by  the  26th  Mississippi. 
Advancing  in  a  direction  nearly  pai'allel  to  our  lino  of  defence,  -when 
nearly  opposite  the  centre,  our  course  Avas  for  soino  time  impeded  by 
the  desperate  ^tand  made  by  the  enemy,  who  ■was  probably  reinforced, 
and  occupying  ground  most  favorable  for  sheltering  his  troops.  Our 
ammunition  had  been  so -rapidly  expended  as  to  entirely  exhaust  the 
supply  of  some  regiments.  Numbers  had  provided  themselves  from 
the  cartridge  boxes  of  the  d"ad  and  ■wounded  enemy. 

Our  force  had  been  considerably  reduced  by  casualties,  and  the  nu- 
merous attendants  ■who  conveyed  the  ■wounded  from  the  field.  .  Having 
no  mounted  officer  to  send,  I  rode  up  to  where  Capt.  Graves'  battery 
was  posted  in  the  trenches,  end  requested  supplies  of  ammunition  and 
reinforcements,  if  any  could  be  spared,  giving  Capt.  Graves  an  inti- 
mation as  to  the  relative  positions  of  the  forces  engaged.  Immediately 
on  my  return  he  opened  a  fire  of  grape,  which  so  disordered  the  ene- 
my that  we  were  again  enabled  to  advance,  driving  him  from  his  camp 
of  the  night  before. 

He  took  a  new  position,  still  further  retired,  holding  it  for  some 
time,  until  Col.  Hansou,  with  the  2d  Kentucky  regiment,  coming  to 
our  assistance,  poured  a  fire  into  the  enemy's  flank,  who  immediately 
fled  in  confusion. 

This  completed  the  rout  of  the  extreme  right  of  tl)e  Federal  forces.^ 
Uncertain  as  to  the  movements  of  our  right  wing,  I  paused,  to  obtain 
the  information  necessary  to  render  our  future  movements  effective, 
and  to  restore  order  from  the  confusion  incident  to  a  continuous  com- 
bat of  nearly  six  hours  in  the  woods. 

Here,  Gen.  I*.  R.  Johnson  came  up  to  me  for  the  first  time,  although 
I  learn  that  he  had,  at  difterent  times  during  the  morning,  directed 
ether  portions  of  the  line.  He  could  giv3  no  information,  but  soon 
after,  whilst  my  attention  was  directed  to  the  26th  IMissi.ssippi  an<l 
2fith  Tennessee,  moved  off  all  the  other  regiments,  including  thi-  2l)th 
Misskssippi.  I  saw  no  more  of  these  during  the  remainder  of  the 
day. 

After  the  lap^e  of  an  iyjur,  observing  troops  from  the  right,  return- 
ing to  their  original  positions  in  the  lines,  I  directed  the  two  regi- 
ments left  with  me,  also  to  return  to  the  trenches. 

Three  times  during  the  day  I  had  sent  a  staff  officer  to  Gen.  Pillow 
for  instructions,  advising  him  of  our  situation.  Hut  no  orders  or 
directions  were  received  from  him,  except,  to  do  "  the  best  I  could." 

Being  totally  unacc^uainted  with  the  topographical  features  of  the 
ground,  unadvised  as  to  the  movements  of  the  general  command,  it 
•was  impo.ssible  for  me  to  do  more  than  ?imply  dislodge  the  enemy,  as 
from  time  to  time  he  made  a  stand  before  us. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  remark  here,  that  the  efficiency  of  the  smooth 
bore  musket,  and  ball  and  buck-shot  cartridges  was  fully  demonstrated 
on  this  occasion,  and  to  recommend  that  our  troops  be  impressed  with 
the  advantage  of  closing  rapidly  upon  the  enemy,  when  our  rapid  load- 
ing anil  firing  proves  immensrly  destructive,  and  tbe  long  range  arms 
of  the  enemy  lose  their  superiority. 


9C 

For  lists  of  killed  and  wounded,  and  minor  details,  recounting  the 
conduct  of  subaltern  officers  and  men,  I  beg  leave  respectfully  to  refer 
to  reports  of  regimental  commanders,  which  accompany  this  report. 

Justice  requires  that  I  should  refer  to  the  coolness  and  gallantry  of 
Col.  Jno.  M.  Lillard,  who,  wounded  in  the  early  part  of  the  engage- 
ment, remained  at  the  head  of  his  command  during  the  whole  day.  It 
is  difficult  to  determine  which  deserves  most  commendation,  this  regi- 
ment or  its  commander. 

Lt.  Col.  Boone  ajid  Major  Parker,  26th  T»Iississippi,  both  conducted 
themselves  as  officers  and  brave  men,  and  this  regiment  bore  its  part 
Well  in  the  conflict. 

Major  Brown,  commanding  the  20th  Mississippi,  is  entitled  to  hon- 
orable mention;  his  left  wing  thrown,  in  the  early  part  of  the  day, 
into  an  CMposed  position,  by  an  ill-advised  order,  held  its  ground  until 
recalled,  and  afterwards  the  whole  regiment  was  among  the  foremost 
in  every  advance.     I  can  not  forbear  to  mention  that  Col  McCausland's 

/ )  Virginia,  not  assigned  to  my  command,  voluntarily  tendered  his 

co-operation,  and  was   conspicuous   for  his   daring  intrepidity.     The 
members  of  my  personal  staff  deserve  especial  notice. 

Lieut.  S.  D.  Harris,  14th  Mississippi,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant 
General,  was  of  great  assistance,  lie  merited,  and  has  received,  my 
thanks  So,  likewise,  did  Thomas  A.  Burke,  a  private  in  company  I, 
14th  Mississippi,  appointed  an  acting  aid-de-camp.  T.  F,  Carrington, 
a  private  in  company  K,  14th  Mississippi,  also  an  acting  aid  de-camp, 
was  severely,  1  fear,  mortally  wounded,  in  the  early  part  of  the  action, 
an  accident  which  deprived  me  of  the  services  of  a  valuable  aid. 

Capt.  D.  II.  Spence,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn,,  volunteer  Aid,  wap 
severely  wounded  in  the  head,  whilst  gallantly  exposing  himself  on 
the  top  of  a  fence  and  urging  "  Tennesseeans  onward  !" 

My  own  regiment,  the  14th  Mississippi,  Major  Doss,  was  sent  to 
Fort  Donelson  some  days  in  advance  of  my  arrival.  The  4 1st  Ten- 
nessee, Col.  Farquharson,  was  brought  down  on  the  13th 

lioth  regiments  were  posted  on  the  right,  and  they  temporarily  sepa- 
rated from  my  command. 

Neither  representations  nor  solicitations  on  my  part,  could  avail  in 
inducing  such  change  as  would  re-unite  these  regiments,  or  place  me 
vrhcre  I  desired  to  be,  under  the  immediate  direction  of  my  proper 
commander. 

The  reports  of  these  latter  regiments  have  been  made  to  Col.  John 
C.  Brown,  commanding  3d  brigade,  under  whose  orders  they  were 
temporarily  placed.. 

A  condensed  statement  of  killed  and  wounded  is  annexed. 
Respectfully, 

Your  ob't  serv't, 

W.  E.  BALDWIN. 
Cd.  Comd'g  2nd  Brigade,  Gen.  Buckncr's  Div'mon. 


SUMMARY  OF  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 


o   >r»i 

«        <x> 

H     <  QO 

"  o  — 

'^   c<»o 

a 

Sh'] 

a 

• 

h3 

:^ 

M 

^ 

OFFICERS 


26th  Tennessee. , 
26th  Mississippi. 
2liih  Mississippi. 
Staff 


Total  officers, 


NON-COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS  AND  PRIVATES. 


26th  Tennessee 

377 

404 
469 

11 
11 

18 

78 

26th  Mississippi 

68 

20th  Mississippi 

55 

Total  N.  C.  officers  and  privates . 

1,250 

40 

201 

Agfrreo;atc 

1.358 

42 

216 

REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JOHN  M.  LILLARD,  OF  TWENTY- 
SLXTIl  TENNESSEE  REGIMENT,  IN  ACTION  AT  FORT 
DONELSON,  FEBRUARY,  1862. 


To  CoL  \y.  E.  Baldwin, 

Fourteenth  Mississippi,  Commanding  Brigade. 

The  regiment  went  into  action,  on  Saturday,  15th  February.  1862, 
Tvith  four  liundred,  including  field  and  staff,  etc.,  etc.  There  were 
eleven  killed,  an<l  eighty-five  wounded,  many  mortally,  and  have  since 
died.      Total  killed  and  wounded  (96)  ninety-six. 

The  enemy  were  driven  back  by  us,  their  right  wing  being  driven 
on  their  centre  and  left,  making  repeated  stands,  and  being  repeatedly 
routed,  in  which  this  regiment  captured  two  brass  cannon,  two  flags, 
the  instruments  of  a  band,  and  several  prisoners.  Of  the  conduct  of 
the  regiment  in  action,  it  is  left  for  the  brigade  commander  to  speak. 

The  killed  and  wounded  are  as  follows,  to-v.it : 

Fi(dd  and  Staff — John  M.  Lillard,  Colonel,  wounded  slightly  in 
shoulder;  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  J.  O'Dell,  v.ounded  slightly  in  arm; 
Lieutenant  J.  A.  Howell,  Adjutant,  slightly  in  thigh. 

Coiipany  A. — Haymond  Stephen,  wounded  in  shoulder ;  II.  Sails, 
in  bowel.s;  Newton  Deathridge,  in  side;  S.  Duckworth,  in  ]iip;  L. 
11.  Horner,  in  shoulder;  P.  J.  Cade,  in  arm;  Wash.  Deathridge,  in 
arm  ;  W.  Rhodes,  in  side  ;  Ed.  Ilutson,  in  side  ;  James  Johnson,  in 
hand — total  10. 

Company  B. — Killed,  Joshua  Collins.  "VYounded,  D,  Justice,  in 
thigh;  J.  Justice,  in  arm;   Sergeant  W.  M.  Bayless,  in  arm. 

Company  C. — Killed,  John  Kcnserly.  Wounded,  Lieutenant  A. 
Swaggerly,  mortally;  Lieutenant  McNabb,  slightly;  F.  M.  Grifiin, 
slightly;  George  Brotherton,  severely;  T.  T.  Bauldwin,  severely;  A. 
Gray,  in  shoulder;  J.  A.  Ilicks,  in  thigh;  George  McMahan,  in 
ehoulder;  J.  A.  Sample,  in  shoulder;   F.  M.  Jenkin,  in  hand. 

Company  D.— Killed,  T.  D.  Nash.  Wounded,  S  Hamack,  R. 
Stratton,  J.  Williams,  R.  Brooks,  J.  F.  Satcrfield,  J.  P.  Godwin,  H. 
D.  Godwin,  A.  Ilepsher. 

Company  E. — Killed,  Sergeant  Jas.  Fleming  and  Joseph  Childress. 
Wounded,  F.  M.  Johns,  A.  T.  Mundy,  J.  P.  Godsey,  A.  S.  Bacon, 
Corporal  Cunningham,  D.  Moore  and  John  Mundy. 

Company  F. — Killed,  private  C.  Graham.  Wounded,  Captain  H. 
L.  McClinig,  mortally ;  Lieutenant  Butler,  slightly ;  Sergeant  Bruce, 
slightly ;  Sergeant  McCalluma,  slightly ;  F.  Cloud,  J.  Starke,  W.  M. 


99 

Evans,  mortally ;  II.  L.  Evans,  slightly ;  J,  McDade,  J.  Rotlichild, 
W.  Ilarley,  W.  Porter,  L.  La.  J.  Wright,  J.  L.  Ilout. 

Company  G. — Killed,  Corporal  Hancock,  Wounded,  private  G.  W. 
Guire,  in  arm. 

Company  II. — Killed,  George  Gross,  J.  R.  Young  and  W.  Philips. 
Wounded,  B.  A.  J.  Jones,  J.  Carter,  J,  W.  Kelly,  J.  M.  Myers,  S. 
Brock  and  J.  W.  Davis. 

Company  I. — Killed,  private  F.  M.  Moss.  Wounded,  Sergeant  II. 
L.  AVhite,  F.  M.  Gilleland,  II.  II.  Goin,  J.  D.  Ilembree,  A.  J.  Kin- 
cade,  J.  W.  Kinkrix,  J.  R.  Kinkade,  J.  R.  Kennedy,  G.  W.  Morri- 
son, W.  Netherly,  J.  II.  0.  Dome,  Wm.  Worick,  A.  J.  Deathridgo, 
Roland  Hatson,  John  Cutis,  A.  East. 

Company  K. — Wounded,  L.  D.  S.  Richards,  W.  Alford,  J.  Green, 
Walker  McCrony,  Ben.  Emmet,  John  George;  Richards  and  Alford, 
thought  mortally. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JOHN  M.  LI.LLARD, 
Colonel  2Gfh  Rrgijiicnt  Tennessee  Volunteers. 


BErORT  FROM  MAJOR  W.  M.  BROWN,  TWENTIETH  MIS- 
SIS^SIITI  VOLUNTEERS,  OF  THE  FART  TAKEN  BY  IT 
IN  THE  BATTLE  OF  FORT  DONELSON,  AND  ALL  OTHER 
FACTS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  INVESTMENT  OF  THE 
FORT  AND  ITS  SURRENDER. 


Richmond,  Va.,  April  12,  1862. 

To  General  G.  W.  Randolph, 

Secretary  of  War,  C.  S.  A. : 

I  am  (lirccted  by  his  Excellency,  President  Davis,  to  make  your 
department  a  report  of  the  part  taken  by  the  20th  Mississippi  regi- 
ment, in  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  at  Fort  Donclson,  February 
13th,  1-lth  and  loth,  1862;  also,  all  the  other  facts  concerning  the 
investment  and  subsequent  surrender  of  that  post. 

The  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Brigadier  General 
John  B,  Floyd,  in  Western  Virginia,  during  the  past  summer,  and 
went  to  Kentucky,  and  from  thence  to  Fort  Donelson,  as  part  of  his 
immediate  command,  arriving  at  that  place  at  daylight  on  the  13th  of 
February. 

By  sunrise,  we  were  ordered  into  position  as  a  reserve,  immediate- 
ly in  rear  of  a  point  which  was  said  to  be  our  centre.  During  the 
day,  heavy  cannonading  was  kept  up  on  both  sides,  mostly  of  shells 
and  shrapnel,  which  resulted  in  killing  one  man  and  wounding  three 
or  four  sliglitly.  At  night,  we  bivouacked  in  position  until  12  o'clock, 
Avhen  an  order  came  from  General  Pillow  to  relieve  the  7th  Texas 
regiment,  commanded  by  General  George  John  Gregg,  then  in  the 
trenches.  At  that  time,  brisk  firing  was  going  on,  supposed  to  be  in- 
duced by  the  enemy's  scouts  and  sharpshooters.  The  breastworks 
were  thought  insufficient  from  the  test  of  the  preceding  days,  so  the 
remainder  of  the  night  was  occupied  in  strengthening  them,  and  clean- 
ing out  the  trenches  now  partially  filled  with  water  and  snow. 

The  next  day  (Friday)  was  spent  in  occasional  engagements  with 
the  enemy's  sharpshooters.  The  Fort  was  actively  engaged  in  repel- 
ling an  attack  of  the  gun-boats  of  the  enemy.  My  position  did  not  af- 
ford me  a  view  of  the  proceedings  which  has  been  fully  reported  by 
others.  About  10  o'clock,  I  received  an  order  to  form  our  regiment 
on  the  extreme  left  in  an  open  field  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  sortie 
on  the  enemy,  Avhich  formation   was  executed  in   a  very  short  time. 


101 

By  order  of  General  Pillow,  the  20th  Mississippi  was  attached  to  tho 
brigade  of  Colonel  W.  C.  Baldwin,  14th  Mississippi  regiment,  for  this 
occasion.  Before  the  order  to  advance  had  been  given,  a  few  guns  of 
the  enemy  were  heard,  and  by  the  time  we  had  advanced  one  hundred 
yards,  a  private  of  company  1),  was  shot  down,  showing  that  the 
enemy  was  close  at  hand.  Vve  continued  the  march  for  two  hundred 
yards  more,  when  the  order  to  halt  was  given ;  said  to  come  from 
General  Floyd,  with  the  explanation  that  we  did  not  have  time  to  ac- 
complish what  he  wanted,  tnd  the  order  to  countermarch  being  given, 
we  did  so  in  proper  order,  and  we  took  our  position  in  the  trenches. 

About  10  o'clock  on  that  night,  (Friday)  I  received  an  order  to 
form  again  as  on  the  preceding  evening,  which  was  executed  prompt- 
ly, and  by  direction  of  General  Pillow,  was  again  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  W.  E.  Baldwin,  14th  Mississippi  regiment,  acting  Briga- 
dier. 1  made  a  report  to  him  of  the  casualties  of  that  day,  while  in 
captivity,  but  as  he  has  been  prohibited  from  making  a  statement  to 
the  War  Department  of  this  government,  as  likewise  General  Buck- 
ner,  I  hereby  substantially  append  the  same  of  that  day's  proceed- 
ings, which  Avas  confined  particularly  to  the  20th  Mississippi  regiment. 
Being  the  only  field  officer  in  command,  who  was  present,  I  was  great- 
ly assisted  by  Captain  II.  Coutey  and  Captain  C.  K.  Massey,  company 
1),  who  were  selected  voluntarily  by  the  offioors  of  the  regiment  lo  as- 
sist in  field  duty,  there  being  some  difficulty  as  to  seniority  of  Cap-^ 
tains.  Adjutant  J.  M.  Cooper  was  also  very  efficient,  and  tendered 
valuable  assistance. 

Assistant  Surgeon  T.  B.  Elken  was  present,  and  rendered  every  as- 
sistance in  his  power  to  the  wounded. 

CASUALTIES    OF    THE    SEVERAL    COMPANtES. 

Company  A,  Captain  II.  Coutey,  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Wilson. 

Killed,  private  II.  N.  Vowel — 1 . 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Wilson,  private  J.  Jamaison,  Davy 
Morgan,  J.  R.  Gumm,  W.  M.  Brown — 5. 

Surrendered — al. 

Company  B,  Captain  W.  A.  Rcvcr,  Li^eutenants  T.  B.  Sykes,  Murf, 
and  Robert. 

Killed,  Sergeant  Dan.  Howard,  privates  Dick  Cooper,  Tom  Carroll, 
llufus  Gore,  John  Dabbs,  James  Whalen,  John  C.  Pollack,  D.  A. 
Kyle,  W.  M.  Langston — 9. 

Wounded,  mortally,  J.  McEwen,  (since  dead,)  mortally  J.  K. 
I'ainier,  (dead). 

Seriously  and  slight,  II.  Y.  Brcsly.  L.  C.  Steward,  Henry  Catley, 
S.  F.  Williams,  J.  R.  Seclv,  J  P.  Willis,  W.  T.  Porter,  Sam.  M. 
Johnson,  B.  W.  MeCullon,  J.  A.  Wamble.  J.  H.  Wore,  mi.<ising,  Ed- 
ward Brown,  John  Lvnch,  (f.  (\   Robinson  —  II. 

Company  B,  surrendered — 34  aggregate. 

Company  C,  Captain  J.  Z.  George,  Lieutenants  J,  M.  Liddlc,  T.  W. 
Kcycs  and  Stoddard,  69  privates — 73  aggregate. 

Wounded,  D.  L.  Jack.«on — 1. 


102 

Surrendered — 66. 

Company  D,  Captain  C.  K.  Masscy,  Lieutenants  J.  C.  Williams, 
Datpon  and  McClelland,  ,54  privates — 58  aggregate. 

Killed,  Sergeant  W.  II.  llonlcn — 1. 

Surrendered — 54. 

Company  E,  Lieutenants  W.  S.  Champlin,  commanding,  1  com- 
mispiond  officer,  41  privates — 42  aggregate. 

Killed,  private  J.  P.  Wattlehaum — 1. 

"Wounded,  Lieutenant  J.  S.  Champlin,  Sergeant  W.  K.  "Washington, 
Corporal  J.  1*.  Yates,  privates  Y.  J.  Bell,  W.  T.  Eandy,  II.  Frede- 
rick, W.  0.  Fink,  J.  Germain,  11.  McCarty,  W  M.  Redman,  F.  C. 
Seely,  11.  F.  Zenan— 12. 

Surrendered — 35. 

Con;pany  F,  Captain  II.  E.  Graham,  Lieutenants  0.  R.  Eastland 
and  L.  E.  R.  Sterling. 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  0.  R.  Eastland,  badly.  Lieutenant  E.  R. 
Sterling,  Sergeant  Odom,  Corporal  Fleming,  private  Welch — 5. 

Surrendered — 54. 

Company  G,  Lieutenant  W.  R.  Nelson,  commanding,  34  privates — 
aggregate  35. 

Killed,  private  G.  White,  C.  Nabers,  E.  Wallace— 3. 

Wounded,  Sergeant  ]\fc  Malcen,  privates  J.  Starke,  Early  J.  Finder, 
W.  Wingo,  J.  M.  Cully,  J.  Bevel— 7. 

Surrendered — 31 . 

Company  11,  1st  Lieutenant  R.  W.  Paine,  commanding.  Lieuten- 
ants J.  S.  Barbee  aiid  Harrison. 

Killed,  Lieutenant  R.  W.  Paine,  private  Dan.  A.  Davis^— 2. 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  J.  IL  Barbee,  privates  M.  Davis,  James  M. 
Wilson,  John  II.  Faulkner,  James  M.  Finny — 5. 

Surrendered — 43. 

Company  I,  Captain  W.  M.  Chatficld,  Lieutenant  Williams,  privates 
34 — aggregate  36. 

Wounded,  D.  W.  Thompson — 1. 

Surrendered — 52. 

Company  K.  D.  T.  Patterson,  Lieutenants  Oldham  and  Conway. 

Killed,  privaterr.  H.  Perry— 1. 

AVounded,  W.  Dioyne,  badly;  T.  Rooke, badly;  slightly,  D.  C.  Pat- 
terson.  Sergeant  J.  Dodd,  private  R.  II.  Fox,  W.  C.  Copshow,  L.  0. 
Young,  Jau)es  Gensel,  W.  S.  Sandrod,  Pat.  Iloran,  Pyshus  Stephens. 

Surrendered — 59. 


RECAPITUI.VTION  : 

Aggregate  engaged — 500. 

Killed— 20. 

Wounded— 58. 

Surrendered — 454.  That  being  the  number  returned  by  the  com- 
manding  officer  of  companies  on  Sunday,  February  16,  1862,  the  day 
we  vrere  surrendered;  afterwards  many  of  them  reported  that  they  had 
known  Bcveral  to  escape. 


103 

On  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  15th  February,  when  raarchedout 
to  attack  the  enemy,  we  were  third  in  the  order  of  advance.  The 
enemy's  pickets  and  sharpshooters  commenced  firing  upon  us  soon 
after  .the  order  to  advance,  and  by  the  time  we  had  gained  three  hun- 
dred yards  we  were  under  a  brisk  fire,  which  came  from  a  hill  in  front, 
covered  with  timber.  By  order  from  General  Pillow,  the  regiment 
was  formed  on  the  left  of  the  road  perpendicular  to  the  road  in  the 
woods,  immediately  behind  a  fence,  with  an  open  field  in  front. 

Subsequently,  I  received  an  order  from  the  same  source  to  wheel  the 
regiment  to  the  right,  through  the  field  behind  the  line  of  fence,  parallel 
to  the  road.  This  movement  subjected  us  to  a  cross  fire,  and  very 
much  exposed  us  to  the  enemy  on  both  sides  undor  cover  of  the  woods. 

I  had  this  fact  represented  to  (Jeneral  PilloAV,  who  ordered  me  back 
to  my  first  position. 

At  this  time  the  five  left  companies  were  actually  engngcd  on  the 
hill,  and  not  hearing  the  command,  did  not  obey  with  promptness. 
The  destruction  at  that  time  in  their  ranks  demonstrated  the  fierceness 
of  the  conflict  and  their  unflinching  bravery.  I  would  mention  espe- 
cially Lieutenant  R.  W.  Paine,  of  company  "  II,"  who  fell  at  this 
time  a  martyr  to  his  country's  cause.  There  also  was  wounde  ]  Captain 
D.  F.  Patterson,  company  "  K."  Lieutenant  J.  R.  Eastland,  company 
"  F,"  was  badly,  perhaps  mortally  wounded.  He  refused  to  be  carried 
from  the  field,  and  exclaimed,  ^^  never  mind  me  boys,fjght  on,fip;ht  on.^^ 
Lieutenant  J.  W..  Parbee,  company  "  II,"  was  wounded  and  forced  to 
retire. 

Captain  W.  A.  Rover,  commanding  company  "  B,"  Lieutenant  W. 
R.  Kelson,  commanding  company  ''  G,"  Lieutenants  S.  B.  Sykes, 
Conway,  Murf,  Roberts,  W.  S.  Champlin,  commanding  company  "  E," 
and  Lieutenant  Harrison,  are  all  deserving  of  honorable  mention,  for 
their  conduct  at  this  place.  * 

To  enumerate  all  the  officers  and  privates  who  were  deserving  of 
notice  for  their  gallantry  throughout  the  day  would  be  to  return  a  list 
of  all  who  were  on  the  field,  and  I  would  refer  you  to  the  foregoing 
list ;  but  as  fortune  had  thrown  the  left  of  the  regiment  in  a  more 
fiercely  contested  place,  of  which  the  sufl"ering  truly  indicated,  it  is  but 
justice  to  give  these  companies  some  especial  notice. 

On  several  other  occasions  during  the  day  we  were  ordered  to  ad- 
vance, and  charge  through  the  woods,  part  of  the  time  under  the  eye 
and  immediate  direction  of  General  B.  R.  Johnson,  on  the  extreme 
left,  until  the  enemy  were  instantly  driven  uff.  Our  movements  under 
that  officer  seemed  to  take  the  enemy  by  their  flank  and  rear.  Wc 
opposed  several  of  their  lines  of  reserve,  which  retired  with  but  little 
resistance,  at  12  o'clock.  I  was  instructed  by  General  Johnson  to 
remain  with  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Joseph  Drake,  of  4th  Mississippi, 
then  on  my  left.  The  regiment  on  my  right  very  soon  commenced 
retiring  to  the  entrcnchracnts  ;  I  did  not  learn  by  whose  order,  or  for 
what  purpose.  In  two  or  three  hours  a  heavy  column  of  the  enemy 
attacked  us  in  front,  which  was  repulsed  with  little  or  no  loss  to  us. 
They  then  endeavored  to  flank  our  right,  and  thereby  cut  us  off  from 
the  breastwork,  now  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant.     Colonel 


104 

Drake  bein?  so  informed  gave  the  order  to  move,   hj  the  right  flank, 
and  continue  the  firing,  which  Ava3  executed. 

3y  tliis  time  many  companies  were  without  ammunition  ;  such  was 
the  case  of  many  of  Colonel  Drake's  command.  On  this  account  we 
retired  to  the  trenches  in  proper  order.  When  called  upon  tlie  field  this 
regiment  had  heen  without  sleep  for  four  nights,  during  which  time 
they  were  marching,  working,  and  watching  in  the  trenches,  encoun- 
tering a  severe  snow  storm,  without  tents  or  cooking  utensils.  Not- 
withstanding all  these  privations  and  sulTerings,  every  order  was  obeyed 
with  the  greatest  alacrity.  Every  man  seemed  to  feel  tiiat  much 
ilepended  upon  himself. 

At  one  o'clock  on  Sijturd:iy  night  I  was  sent  for,  to  report  to  Gen- 
eral J.  13.  Floyd,  which  1  did  promptly,  and  received  notice  from  him 
that  the  place  was  to  be  surrendered,  but  tiiut  he  would  not  surrender 
himself,  and  would  cut  his  way  out  with  his  immediate  command.  To 
carry  out  this  determination,  he  ordered  me  to  form  my  regiment  on 
the  left  of  our  line,  as  on  the  previous  morning,  with  the  Virginia  regi- 
ment. While  executing  this  order,  an  aid-de-camp  of  General  Buckner 
brought  an  order  countermanding  this  arrangement,  and  directing  me 
to  the  steamboat  landing  to  embark  on  one  or  two  boats  then  momen- 
tarily expected. 

I  went  immediately  to  General  Floyd  so  as  better  to  understand  the 
movement,  and  from  him  learned  the  authenticity  of  the  instructions,  and 
also  that  we  would  embark  ;  according  to  the  rank  of  commanding  offi- 
cers, (Colonel  Wharton's  Brigade  and  McCausland's  Brigade)  would 
precede  mine  in  order.  I  was  further  directed  to  place  a  strong  guard 
around  the  steamboat  landing  to  prevent  stragglers  from  going  aboard. 
The  boats  ])eing  detained  until  nearly  daylight,  and  the  news  of  a  surren- 
tler  spre!i<ling  through  the  camp,  caused  many  to  flock  to  the  river,  almost 
•panic-stricken  and  frantic  to  make  good  their  escape  by  getting  on 
board.  In  all  this  confusion  I  am  proud  to  say,  the  2i)^/i  Mississippi 
rcgivujii  stood  like  a  stonewall,  which,  as  the  necessity  had  required  it, 
I  had  thrown  in  v.  semi  circle  around  the  landing,  to  protect  General 
Floyd,  and  his  Virginia  regiments  while  embarking,  and  Avhen  the  last 
hope  had  vanished  of  getting  on  board,  according  to  the  orders  and 
promises  of  General  Floyd,  and  we  realized  the  sad  fate  that  we  /md 
h'/cn  surrendered,  the  regiment  stacked  arms  in  good  order,  without  the 
least  intimidation,  but  full  of  regret.  I  am  not  able  to  state  why  we 
v:cre  not  taken  aboard  the  boat.  There  was  about  two  hundred  men 
and  officers  between  my  regiment  and  the  boat.  When  General  Floyd 
was  on  board,  I  sent  my  Adjutant  to  say  we  Avere  ready  to  go  aboard. 
I  did  not  get  a  satisfactory  answer,  but  learned  that  the  General  was 
fighting  off  the  men  in  my  front,  who  I  thought  belonged  to  one  of 
the  Virginia  regiments,  commanded  by  Major  Thomas  Smith,  who  has 
hince  informed  me  that  some  did  not  go.  There  seemed  to  be  room 
enough  for  us  all,  and  if  he  wanted  them  out  of  the  way,  I  could  have 
t.*Iearcd  the  banks  in  a  moment's  time.  When  the  boat  left  there  did  not 
aeem  to  be  fifty  men  on  board  (seen  on  deck).  It  is,  perhaps,  unbe- 
coming in  me  to  say  whose  fault  it  was  that  my  regiment  was  not  om- 
•»arkcd,  but  I  certainly  owe  it  to  myself  to  show  that  it  was  not  mine. 


105 

While  this  excitement  was  going  on,  General  Buckner  sent  for  mo, 
and  informed  me  that  unless  the  steamboat  left  the  landinnr  imme- 
diately, he  would  throw  a  bomb-shell  into  it;  that  he  had  sent  word  to 
the  boat  to  that  effect. 

He  made  some  further  remarks  of  an  explanatory  character,  amonf 
others  that  we  were  in  danger  of  being  shelled  by  the  gun-boats  of 
the  enemy,  as  he  had  surrendered  tlie  place,  and  the  gun-boats  were, 
or  may  be,  at  the  fort.  That  his  honor  as  an  officer,  and  the  lionor 
and  good  faith  of  the  Confederacy  required  that  at  daylight  he  should 
turn  over  everything  under  his  command,  agreeable  to  the  terms  of 
capitulation  witli  General  Grant  of  the  Federal  army.  I  returned  to 
the  boat  to  make  every  effort  to  get  aboard,  but  it  had  shoved  oft'  and 
was  making  up  the  river,  with  very  few  persons  aboard.  If  I  have 
been  at  fault  and  caused  the  unnecessary  imprisonment  of  my  regi- 
ment, I  am  deserving  the  (kinial  ivfainy  of  my  fellow  soldiers  ;  but  on 
the  contrary,  there  is  not  an  officer  or  private  of  the  regiment,  who 
witnessed  the  proceedings,  who  does  not  freely  and  cheerfully  exone- 
rate  me  from   any  blame  whatsoever. 

During  the  summer  and  fall  campaign  in  Western  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee,  this  regiinent  has  done  credit  to  themselves  and 
their  State  for  the  arduous  service  they  performed  at  Sewell's  Moun- 
tain, Cotton  Ilill  and  Fort  Donelson.  Their  manly  endurance  of  priva- 
tions, prompt  obedience  to  orders,  and  their  eagerness  for  the  fray,, 
was  never  excelled  by  veteran  soldiers  of  any  army,  and  has  entitled 
the  2()th  Mississippi  to  a  prominent  place  in  the  history  of  this  revo- 
lution. 

In  obedience  to  my  instructions  to  furnish  the  Department  what- 
ever information  I  may  have  of  the  battle  of  Donelson,  I  hereby  ap- 
pend an  unofficial  statement  which  I  have  in  my  possession,  made  by 
**  W.  E.  Baldwin,  Captain  infantry,  C.  S.  A.,  Colonel  14th  Mississippi 
Volunteers,  commanding  2d  brigade,  2d  division  (General  Buckner's) 
Central  Array,  Ky.,"  from  Octoher  30,  1860. 

To  supply  an  anticijiated  omission  in  the  future  history  of  our 
country,  it  may  not  be  improper  here  to  state,  that  this  brigade  was 
composed  of  the  following  regiments  : 

I'lth  Mississippi,  comman(led  by  Major  W.  T.  Doss;  ^Gtli  Ten- 
nessee, commanded  by  Colonel  J.  M.  Lilian! ;  2Gth  Mississippi,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  A.  E.  Reynolds,  and  41st  Tennessee,  commanded  bj 
I'olonel  R.  Fanjuharson,  was  temporarily  divided  in  the  line  around 
Fort  Donelson;  the  14th  Mississippi  ami  the  41st  Tennessee  being 
posted  in  the  right  wing,  un-ler  General  Buckner's  immediate  supor- 
\ision. 

Tlie  2Gth  Tennessee  and  tlie  26th  Mississippi  were  posted  under  m.y 
own  command,  on  our  extreme  left  These  regiments,  with  the  2;)th 
Mississippi.  Major  W.  N.  Brown,  which  was  addeil  to  the  command, 
ronstituted.tho  advance  in  our  attnck  on  the  enemy's  right  at  6  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  February  1,5th,  l.SiJi. 

They  all  behaved  with  ffreat  gallantry  in  a  six  hour's  combat,  which 
resulted  in  the  total  defeat  of  tlie  enemy's  right ;  wliorebv  a  way  was 
\»pcnud  for  a  retreat  of  the  army.     The  opportunity  not  having  I  ecu 


106 

seized,  and  the  enemy,  60,000  strong,  having  completely  enveloped 
our  little  force,  nuraberin;»  before  the  losses  occasioned  by  four  day's 
constant  cn;^:igcnicnt3,  about  1 2, OOO,  officers  and  men.  The  senior 
(jcncrals,  Floyd  and  l*illow,  relinquished  the  command  to  General 
Huckner,  and  made  their  escape;  the  former  taking  with  him,  about 
1,5;  It  I  troops  of  his  immediate  command,  on'y  leaving  Major  Brown, 
with  tlie  2<lth  Mississippi,  who,  like  veterans,  were  silently  and  steadi- 
Iv,  though  sullenly,  guarding  the  embarkation  of  troops,  while  their 
chief  was  seeking  safety. 

The  command  was  immediately  surrendered  on  the  morning  of  16th 
Fcbruarv,  by  General  Buckner,  who  shared  the  fate  oF  his  command. 

It  is  "unbecoming  in  soldiers  to  criticise  the  conduct  of  superiors, 
but  when,  after  rejecting  tlie  counsels  of  juniors,  the  condition  of 
aflfairs  is  placed  beyond  the  power  of  human  means  to  retrieve,  the 
yc7twr  endeavors  to  escape  responsibility,  by  throwing  the  same  upon 
xhe  fonner,  comment  is  unnecessary . 

.  After  surrendering,  the  force  was  taken  on  transports,  the  rank  and 
'file  sep:irated  from  the  officers.  Most  of  the  officers  were  confined  in 
camp  Chase  near  Columbus,  Ohio.  On  the  4th  of  March,  the  field 
-officers,  fifty  in  number,  were  brought  from  tliat  place  to  this,  (Fort 
Warren,)  where  we  have  since  been  waiting  with  patience  for  the  time 
to  come,  when  we  can  again  strike  for  our  homes  and  our  country's  in- 
dependence. 

FoKT  Warren,  March  19th,  1862. 

It  may  not  be  improper  here  for  ihc  to  state,  that  should  any  arrange- 
ment be  established  with  the  Federal  government;  for  the  exchange  of 
prisoners  of  war,  that  in  consideration  of  services  rendered  by  this 
regiment,  and  the  further  fact,  it  is  mustered  for  the  war,  1  should 
request  it  be  placed  first  on  the  list  to  be  exchanged, 
licspectfully  submitted, 

W.  M.  BROWN, 
Mil  jo-  2()th  Missi-ss-lppi  regiment. 


REPORT   OF    THE   THIRD  BRIGADE— COLONEL    JOUX  C. 

BROWN. 


To  Major  G,  B.  Cosbv, 

A.  A.  General, 
3nd  Division  Central  Army,  Ky. : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  the  3rJ,  18th,  and  32ii  Ten- 
nessee regiments,  composing  the  3rd  brigade  of  your  division,  arrived 
at  Fort  Donclson  on  the  9tii  and  lUth  days  of  February,  and  were 
assigned  position  by  Brigadier  General  Pillow,  then  in  command  on 
the  right  of  the  line- of  defences, — (the  extreme  right  being  occupied 
by  the  2nd  Kentucky  regiment).  I  commenced  at  once  the  construc- 
tion of  rifle-pits  and  forming  abatis  by  felling  timber,  but  the  supply 
of  tools  was  wholly  inadequate,  and  before  the  works  were  scarcely 
half  completed,  the  enemy  appeared  in  our  front,  on  Wednesday  the 
1 2th.  about  noon.  After  this,  the  incessant  fire  from  the  cnemy'e 
sharpshooters,  rendered  labor  upon  our  works,  almost  impossible 
during  the  day,  and  large  fatigue  parties  were  necessary  during  the 
entire  nights  of  Wednesday,  Thursday  and  Friday,  althougli  the 
weather  was  intensely  cold.  On  Thursday  the  13th,  the  14th  Missis- 
sippi, commanded  by  Major  W.  L.  Doss,  and  the  41st  Tennessee,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  R.  Farquharson,  were  temporarily  attached  to  my 
brigade.  The  centre  of  my  poriion  of  the  line,  being  the  most  ele- 
vated and  commanding  point,  was  defended  by  Captain  Porter's  ligbt 
battery  of  six  guns,  while  Captain  (J raves'  battery  was  posted  near 
the  left,  commanding  a  long  wide  valley,  separating  ray  left  from  Co'^- 
onel  Ileiman's  right.  The  position  was  an  admirable  one  to  support 
my  left  and  Colonel  llcinian's  right,  while  it  also  commanded  the  hills 
immediately  in  front.  About  1 1  o'clock  on  Thursday,  I  discovered 
the  enemy  moving  in  considerable  force  upon  Colonel  I [ciman'a  centre, 
and  before  the  column  come  witiiin  range  of  Colonel  llciman,  and 
indeed,  before  it  could  be  seen  from  Colonel  Ileiman's  position,  I 
directed  Captain  Graves  to  open  fire  from  all  his  guns,  which  he  did 
•with  such  spirit,  and  fatal  precision,  that  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes, 
the  whole  column  staggered.  an<l  took  shelter  in  confusion  and  disorder, 
beyond  the  summit  of  the  hill,  still  further  to  our  loft,  when  Colonel 
Ileiman  opened  fire  upon  it,  and  drove  it  beyon<l  range  of  both  hisand 
my  guns.  Later  in  the  day,  the  enemy  planted  one  section  of  a  bal- 
tcry  on  a  hill,  alrao.it  in  front  of  Captain  'Grave,  an)  opcn'^i  an  cu- 


108 

filading  fire  upon  the  left  of  my  line,  and  at  the  same  time  a  crossfire 
upon  Colonel  Ileiman,  Captain  Graves'  handling  his  favorite  rifle  piece, 
■with  the  same  feailcss  coolness  that  characterized  his  conduct  during  the 
entire  week,  in  less  than  ten  minutes,  knocked  one  of  the  enemy's  guns 
from  its  carriage,  and  almost  at  the  same  moment,  the  gallant  Porter 
disabled  and  silenced  the  other,  while  the  supporting  infantry  retreated 
firecipitately  before  the  storm  of  grape  and  canister  poured  into  their 
ranks  from  both  batteries.  Nearly  one-half  of  my  command  was  con- 
stantly deployed  in  the  rifle-pits,  while  the  residue  was  held  under 
arms,  and  in  position  as  a  reserve,  but  on  Thursday,  Colonel  Hanson, 
on  the  extreme  right,  being  attacked  by  a  large  force,  I  sent  by  Gen- 
eral Buckner's  orders,  the  ISth  Tennessee  to  his  support,  which  re- 
mained with  him  until  Friday  night.  On  Saturday  morning  I  had 
orders  to  move  my  command  towards  the  left,  so  soon  as  Colonel  Head 
should  relieve  my  men  in  the  rifle-pits.  He  was  late  in  reporting,  and 
without  waiting  longer,  I  put  the  column  in  motion,  directing  the  men 
in  the  rifle-pits  to  follow  us,  so  soon  as  relieved,  which  they  did  very 
promptly,  but  in  some  disorder.  My  whole  command  was  provided 
with  three  days'  cooked  rations,  and  marched  with  their  knapsacks,  the 
purpose  being,  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  wing,  and  march  out  on  the 
Wynn's  Ferry  road,  to  fall  back  upon  Nashville.  Arriving  at  the 
point  where  the  Wynn's  Ferry  road  crosses  the  entrenchments,  the 
3rd  Tennessee  was  deployed  in  the  rifle-pits,  while  the  remaining  regi- 
ments were  held  in  reserve.  The  enemy  had  already  been  attacked  on 
his  right  by  our  left  wing,  and  we  were  awaiting  the  proper  moment 
of  co-operation,  and  by  General  Buckner's  directions,  I  sent  the  14th 
Mississippi  to  the  front  as  skirmishers,  the  enemy  occupying  a  hill  in 
considerable  force  not  far  distant.  The  3rd  and  18th  Tennessee  regi- 
ments, (the  former  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomas  M, 
Gordon,  and  the  latter  by  Colonel  J.  B.  Palmer,)  were  sent  forward  in 
quick  succession,  to  support  the  14th  Mississippi.  As  they  advanced 
over  the  abatis  and  through  comparatively  open  ground,  and  especially 
on  reaching  the  summit  of  the  hill,  they  were  met  by  a  murderous 
fire.  Some  confusion  ensued,  but  they  returned  a  steady  fire  until  the 
enemy  retired  under  cover  of  dense  timber  and  undergrowth,  with- 
drawing his  battery  which  had  been  pouring  a  heavy  fire  into  our 
reserves.  Further  pursuit  being  impracticable  in  that  direction,  and 
companies  having  become  separated,  and  somewhat  intermixed,  on 
account  of  the  obstacles  over  which  they  had  marched,  the  command 
retired  within  the  entrenchments,  and  immediately  reformed  to  renew 
the  attack  still  further  to  the  I'ight,  whither  the  enemy  were  retiring. 
And  about  12  o'clock,  under  the  direction  of  Brigadier  General  Buck- 
her,  I  led  the  Srd  and  18th  Tennessee,  as  well  as  the  32nd  Tennessee, 
(Colonel  Ed.  C.  Cook,)  across  an  open  field  on  the  right  of  the  Wynn's 
Ferry  road,  under  the  fire  of  a  battery  posted  on  that  road.  As  we 
appeared  upon  the  summit  of  the  hill,  the  force  supporting  the  battery 
retreated  about  3t)l)  or  4t)l)  yards,  still  farther  to  our  right  and  farther 
from  our  lines,  leaving  one  section  of  the  battery,  which  fell  into  our 
hands.  The  hill  to  which  the  enemy  retreated,  was  so  densely  covered 
with  trees  and  undergrowth,  that  our  skirmishers  could  not  ascertain 


109 

his  position  and  numbers,  but  we  were  led  to  suppose  that  his  battery 
at  that  point  was  supported  by  a  force  not  exceeding  one  thousand 
men,  but  it  Avas  afterwards  ascertained  that  his  strength  was  nearly 
7,000,  while  there  were  five  regiments  within  supporting  distance. 

Acting  upon  the  first  and  only  information  we  could  then  obtain,  a 
charge  was  ordered,  and  the  "^^lole  command  moved  forward  with  spirit 
and  animation,  but  when  within  about  100  yards  of  the  enemy,  who 
was  upon  higher  ground,  we  were  met  by  a  fire  of  grape  and  musketry 
that  was  terrific,  but  fortunately  passing  above  our  heads.  We  halted 
and  opened  a  fire  of  musketry  upon  them,  which,  although  continuing 
only  a  few  minutes,  killed  and  wounded  not  less  than  800  of  the  enemy. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Gordon  of  the  3rd,  having  been  wounded,  ordered 
the  regiment  to  fall  back  under  cover  of  the  hill.  I  rallied  it  at  about 
100  yards,  and  placed  it  in  command  of  Colonel  Cbeairs.  The  Ibth 
and  32nd  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  just  then  being  re-inforced 
by  the  14th  Mississippi,  we  were  renewing  the  attack,  when  the  enemy 
left  the  field,  leaving  his  dead  and  wounded.  While  we  Avere  engaged, 
the  gallant  Graves  came  in  full  speed  to  our  assistance,  Avitli  a  part  oi 
his  battery,  and  maintained  his  position  until  the  enemy  retired.  Our 
loss  in  this  engagement  did  not  exceed  fifty  in  killed  and  wounded. 
But  the  brave  and  accomplished  Lieutenant-Colonel  Moore,  of  the  32nd 
Tennessee  regiment,  fell  mortally  wounded,  while  aiding  his  no  less 
worthy  commander  in  cheering  his  men  to  the  charge.  Just  as  the 
enemy  left  the  field,  entirely  opening  the  Wynn's  Ferry  road,  my 
command  was  ordered  by  Brigadier  General  Pilllow,  repeated  by  Brig- 
adier General  Floyd,  to  return  at  once  to  its  position  on  the  right  of 
our  line  of  defences.  My  men  had  scarcely  deployed  in  the  rifle-pits, 
when  I  was  ordered  to  re-inforce  Colonel  Hanson  on  the  extreme  right, 
whose  works  had  been  stormed  and  taken  by  the  enemy  before  he  had 
re -occupied  them.  An  obstinate  fire  was  maintained  until  dark,  but 
we  held  the  ground  to  which  Colonel'  Hanson  had  retired,  although 
opposed  by  a  superior  force  of  fresh  troops.  Captains  Porter  and 
Graves,  did  efiicient  service  in  their  engagement  with  their  batteries, — 
indeed,  they  excited  the  admiration  of  the  whole  command,  by  an  ex- 
hibition of  coolness  and  bravery,  under  a  heavy  fire  (from  Avhich  they 
haano  protection,)  which  could  not  be  excelled.  Captain  Porter  fell, 
dangerously  wounded  by  a  Minnie  ball  through  his  thigh,  while  working 
one  of  his  guns — his  gunners  being,  nearly  all  of  them,  disabled  or 
killed.  The  command  then  devolved  upon  Lieutenant  Morton,  a  beard- 
less youth,  who  stepped  forward  like  an  old  veteran,  and  nobly  did  he 
emulate  the  example  of  his  brave  Captain. 

Fatigue  parties  were  employed  until  two  o'clock  Sunday  morning 
Btrengthcning  our  position,  when  an  order  reached  me,  to  spike  the 
guns  on  my  line  and  march  my  command  towards  the  left  as  on  Sat- 
urday morning.  The  order  wa<»  instantly  executed,  but  before  the 
column  had  proceeded  one  mile,  I  was  directed  to  counter-march  and 
re-occupy  the  works  and  display  flags  of  truce  from  the  front  of  our 
works.  At  9  o'clock  the  same  morning  the  command  was  surren- 
dered. 

My  command  was  so  much  worn  and  exhausted  from  incessant  labor 


no 

And  watching  during  the  entire  week — exposure  to  intense  cold,  as 
well  as  from  the  fatigues  of  the  battle  on  the  preceding  day,  as  to  be 
wholly  unable  to  meet  any  spirited  attack  from  the  enemy  on  Sunday 
morning.  Our  ammunition,  both  for  artillery  and  small  arms,  was 
well  nigh  exhausted. 

It  mi,2;ht  do  injustice  to  others  to  particularize  many   instances  of 
daring  and  bravery  among  officers  and  men.     With  but  few  exceptions, 
they  all  deserve  the  highest  praise  for  the  determined  and  gallant  spirit 
with  which  they  bore  themselves  under  their  first  exposure  to  fire — 
My  killed  amount  to       -  -  -'  -  3S 

"    wounded  amount  to  -  -  -  244 

For  details,   reference  is  made  to  the   report  of  regimental  com- 
manders, marked  respectively  A.  B.  C.  D.  and  E. 
1  have  the  honor  to  be  sir, 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  C.  BROWN, 
N  Colonel  3rd  Tennessee  regiment, 

Ccmmanding  3rf  Brigade. 
February  16th,  .1862. 


RErORT  OF  MAJOR  N.  F.  CIIEAIRS,  COMMANDING  THIRD 
TENNESSEE  REGIMENT. 


Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor,  > 
Massaciiusetis,  March,   10,   1862.      ) 
To  Colonfx  John  C.   B  iown,  comraanding  Third  Brigade,  Second 
Division  Central  Army  of  Kentucky,  C.  S.  A. 

The  third  Tennessee  regiment  of  volunteers,  arrived  at  Fort  Don- 
clson  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  February,  18G2,  with  an  aggregate, 
reported  for  duty,  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men.  On  the  day  after 
reaching  Donelson  the  whole  regiment  was  employed  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  works  of  defence — rifle  pits,  trenches,  &c.,  at  which  both 
men  and  officers  continued  night  and  day,  until  the  evening  of  the 
12th,  at  which  time  a  skirmish  took  place  with  the  Federals  about  a 
mile  or  a  mile  and  a  half  in  advance  of  our  trenches,  by  a  company  , 
of  the  18th  Tennessee  regiment,  who  had  been  sent  out  on  picket 
duty.  Immediately  after  the  return  of  said  company  to  the  trenches. 
General  Luckncr's  division,  which  occupied  the  right  of  the  whole 
line  of  our  defence,  was  arranged  in  order  of  battle  for  the  general 
engagement  which  ensued.  The  third  Tennessee  regiment  occupied 
the  fourth  position  from  the  right,  and  five  companies  were  deployed 
in  the  rifle  pits,  and  five  held  in  reserve,  commanded  by  myself,  with 
orders  to  sustain  the  companies  deployed  in  the  pits,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  M.  Gordon,  and  to  support  Porter's 
artillery,  on  my  right,  as  circumstances  might  require.  Such  was 
the  position  held  by  the  third  Tennessee  regiment,  until  the  morning 
«)f  the  15th  February.  At  about  four  o'clock  of  said  morning,  the 
third  Tennesse  regiment  was  ordered  to  be  put  in  motion  and  march 
in  the  direction  of  our  left  wing,  with  knapsacks,  haversacks,  and 
three  days  rations,  with  whatever  else  that  could  be  conveniently  car- 
ried. This  order  was  immediately  executed,  and  the  regiment  marched 
out  beyond  and  to  the  right  of  Dover,  where  it  was  halted  and  ordered 
to  deploy  as  skirmishers  in  the  rifle-pits,  and  to  the  left  of  the  14th 
Mississippi  and  18th  Tennessee,  at  about  half-past  eight  or  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  The  14th  Mississippi  and  third  Tennessee  were  or- 
dered by  Colonel  Brown  (General  Buckncr  also  being  present)  to  at- 
tack one  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  located  some  three  or  four  hundred 
yards  in  front  of  onr  trenches,  and,  from  their  position,  were  firing 
heavily  upon  us.  This  battery  was  supported  by  several  regiments  of 
infantry.  We  succeeded  (after  a  hot  contest  of  about  three-quarters  of 
an  hour)  in  driving  the  enemy  back,  and  occupied  their  position  until 


112 

ordered  back  to  the  trenches  by  Major  Cassaday,  of  General  Buckncr's 
stafT.  The  3rd,  18ih  and  32d  Tennessee  regiments  were  ordered 
across  the  trenches  to  attack  anotlier  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries, 
supported  by  a  heavy  column  of  infantry,  located  on  or  near  the 
Wynn's  Ferry  road,  and  much  farther  from  our  works.  The  third 
Tennessee  was  on  the  left,  the  18th  in  the  centre,  and  the  32d  on  the 
rifflit,  in  the  arrangement  for  tlie  attack.  The  trenches  were  soon 
crossed,  and  the  battalions  formed  in  double  column,  and  marched  in 
the  direction  of  the  battery.  When  in  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
y:irds  of  it,  it  open  upon  us  with  grape  and  canister,  and  seconded  by 
tlie  infantry.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gordon  being  in  command  of  the 
tiiird  n^gimcnt  ordered  it  to  lay  do>vn.  In  a  few  seconds  he  Avas 
wounded,  and  by  some  unfortunate  order  being  given  just  at  that  time, 
which  the  regiment  took  for  retreat,  and  thereupon,  did  retreat  some 
hundred  or  hundred  and  fif.y  yards,  when  they  were  rallied  by 
Colonel  Crown,  and  reformed  in  line  of  battle.  General  Buckner 
being  present,  and  discovering  the  enemy  had  also  fallen  back,  ordered 
me,  as  next  in  command  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gordon,  (he  having 
retired  from  the  field,)  to  take  the  third  Tennessee  regiment  back  to 
the  trenches,  which  order  I  obeyed.  On  arriving  at  the  trenches,  I 
met  with  General- Pillow,  who  ordered  me  (after  ascertaining  that  ] 
was  in  command)  to  take  the  third  Tennessee  regiment  back  to  the 
position  we  had  occupied  on  the  right  wing,  and  the  one  we  had  left 
at  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  immediately  formed  the  regi- 
ment and  executed  the  order.  A  few  minutes  after  reaching  our  ori- 
ginal position,  an  attack  was  made  upon  Colonel  Hanson,  the  second 
Kentucky  regiment's  trencbes,  by  the  enemy  in  strong  force.  Colonel 
Hanson  not  having  more  than  one  or  two  companies  in  position  fell 
back  upon  the  J[8th  Tennessee,  (Colonel  Palmer,)  and  I  was  ordered 
to  brin^  up  the  third  Tennessee  to  support  the  second  Kentucky  and 
18th  Tennessee,  which  order  was  executed  at  the  shortest  possible 
notice,  and,  in  justice  to  the  officers  and  soldiers,  must  say  that  they 
bore  themselves  most  g:»llantly,  notAvithstanding  they  were  completely 
or  nearly  so,  worn  down  by  incessant  fighting  and  fatigue  duty.  For 
eight  consecutive  days  we  succeeded  in  driving  back  the  enemy,  al- 
though they  had  fresh  and  we  had  exhausted  troops.  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel (jordon  was  in  command  of  the  regiment  from  the  time  Ave  ar- 
rived at  Donelson,  on  the  night  of  the  eighth,  until  about  one  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  on  the  loth,  when  he  Avas  wounded  and  retired  from  the  field. 
I  Avas  then  in  command  until  the  surrender,  Avhich  AA'as  at  six  o'clock, 
■Sunday  morning,  February  16th,  1862. 

For  a  detailed  account  of  the  killed  and  Avounded  of  the  third  Ten- 
nessee regiment,  during  the  entire  fight  at  Donelson,  I  refer  you  to 
the  subjoined  paper,  marked  A. 

Killed  twelve,  Avounded  seve'nty-six. 

The  foregoing  report  of  the  conduct  and  actions  of  the  third  Ten- 
nessee regiment,  and  of  its  casualties  at  Fort  Donelson,  1  have  the 
honor  to  submit  to  you.  Very  respectfully, 

N.  F    CHEAIRS, 
Major  Commanding  Sd  Tennessee  Kegiment. 


REPORT    OF   COLONEL   JOSEPH  B.   PALMER,  COMMAND- 
ING EIGHTEENTH  TENNESSEE  REGIMENT. 


Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harhor,  Mass.,  ) 
March  7th,  1862.       \ 

To  Colonel  John  C.  Brown, 

Commanding  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division, 

Central  Army  of  Ky.,  C.  S.  A.  : 

The  IStli  regiment  of  Tennessee  volunteers,  arrived  at  Fort 
Donelson,  on  the  8th  of  February,  1SG2,  with  an  aggregate  re- 
ported for  duty,  of  six  hundred  and  eighty-five,  (685)  and  these  en- 
camped mainly  without  tents,  or  other  protection  from  the  weather, 
and  with  scarcely  any  cooking  utensils  until  the  surrender  of  the  forces^ 
at  that  point  on  the  16th  day  of  the  same  month. 

On  the  day  after  reaching  Donelson,  the  whole  regiment  was  em- 
ployed in  the  preparation  of  works  of  defence — rifle-pits,  trenches, 
etc.,  at  which  both  men  and  ofTicers  continued  without  relief  or  rest, 
night  and  day,  until  the  1 2th.  Early  in  the  forenoon  of  that  day,  pursu- 
ant to  orders  from  brigade  headquarters,  I  ordered  out  company  C, 
commanded  by  Captain  W.  R.  Butler,  on  picket  service,  with  the 
usual  instructions.  They  went  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  lines, 
about  one  and  a  half  miles  and  took  position,  when  suddenl}'  they  dis- 
covered several  thousand  Federal  troops  advancing  towards  our  en- 
campment. Captain  Butler  thus  finding  his  position  greatly  exposed, 
conducted  a  prudent  and  skillful  retreat,  gradually  falh'ng  back,  so  as 
to  keep  the  enemy  under  constant  observation — finally  fired  upon  them 
and  came  within  my  encampment,  submitting  a  report  of  this  intelli- 
gence, which  I  immediately  communicated  to  you  and  General  Buck- 
ner  in  person.  (General  Buckner's  division,  which  occupied  the  right  of 
the  whole  line  of  our  defence,  was  therefore  arranged  in  onler  of  battle 
for  the  general  engagement  which  ensued.  The  2nd  Kentucky  (Col. 
Hanson's)  was  first,  and  my  regiment  second  on  the  right.  I  deployed 
companies  A,  B  and  G,  (Captains  Rushing ,  Joyner  and  MeWhirter,) 
in  the  rifle-pits,  immediately  in  my  front,  placing  them  in  command 
of  Major  8.  W.  Davis.  The  other  companies  were  formed  in  double- 
column  first  in  rear  of  the  former  in  charge  of  my.-=elf  and  Lieutenant 
('olonel  A.  G.  Garden,  with  orders  Trom  General  Buckner  to  sustain 
the  line  covered  by  my  deployment — to  support  Porter's  Artillery  on 
my  left,  or  reinforce  Colonel  Hanson  on  my  right,  as  circumst^-^ncea 
8 


114 

might  require.  Such  was  the  position  held  by  me  until  the  morning 
of  the  lofh  February.  I  had  occasion,  however,  on  the  13th,  to  dis- 
patch companies  E  and  K,  (C:  ptain  Lorrc  and  Bandy,)  to  reinforce 
Colonel  Hanson,  upon  whom  the  enemy  was  opening  a  considerable 
fire,  but  after  a  very  spirited  engagement,  the  attack  was  repulsed.  I 
had  occasion  also  on  the  11th,  to  send  the  balance  of  my  reserve, 
(Captains  Wei)!),  Wood,  Putnam,  Butler  and  liieutenant  John's  com- 
panies,) to  reinforce  the  right,  where  it  was  expected  the  enemy  wouM 
on  that  day  make  a  desperate  attack,  simultaneously  with  a  fire  on  the 
Fort  from  th(?ir  gun-lioats.  But  owing  probably  to  a  failure  of  success 
in  the  latter,  no  further  than  the  general  fire  was  made  upon  us  at 
that  time.  On  Saturday  morning,  IS'h  February,  at  al)0ut  two  and- 
a-bair  or  three  o'clock,  I  received  orders  from  brigade  headquarters 
to  put  my  whole  command  in  motion  and  to  march  in  the  direction  of 
our  left  wing,  with  knapsacks,  haversacks  provided  Avith  three  days 
rations,  and  whatever  else  men  and  officers  could  carry — sending  all 
my  wagons,  except  enough  for  the  transportation  of  ordnance  stores, 
across  Cumberland  river.  I  proceeded  immediately  to  execute  this 
order  and  marched  out  beyond  and  to  the  right  of  Dover,  where  I  was 
ordered  to  halt  and  take  position  in  a  general  line  of  battle,  on  the 
right  of  the  3rd  Tennessee' regiment  Very  soon  afterwards,  the  14th 
,Mississip[)i  and  3rd  Tennessee,  were  ordered  by  Colonel  Brown, 
{General  Buckner  also  being  present,)  to  attack  one  of  the  enemy's 
batterifs,  just  in  oiir  front  and  about  three  hundred  yards  beyond  the 
trendies,  which  from  their  position  were  firing  heavily  upon  us.  This 
battery  was  supported  by  several  regiments  of  infantry,  which  in  con- 
nexion with  if,  turned  a  terrible  fire  on  the  two  regiments  just  named, 
against  which  they  fought  gallantly  and  bravely,  thus  making  a  severe 
engagement,  Avhich  having  continued  for  some  considerable  time,  I 
was  ordered  across  the  trenches  to  their  support,  and  reached  there 
just  about  the  time  the  enemy  abandoned  their  position  and  yielded 
the  ground.  Under  the  order  of  Major  Cassaday,  I  returned  to  my 
former  position  in  connexion  with  the  other  two  regiments  in  the 
general  line  of  battle.  The  3rd  Tennessee,  32nd  and  18th  Tennessee, 
were  then  ordered  across  the  trenches  to  attack  another  one  of  the 
enemy's  batteries,  located  on  or  near  the  Wynn's  Ferry  road,  and 
much  further  beyond  our  works.  Colonel  Cook's  regiment  was  on  the 
right,  my  own  in  the  centre,  and  Colonel  Brown's  on  the  left  in  the 
arrangement  for  this  attack.  The  trenches  were  soon  crossed,  the 
battalions  formed  in  double  column  and  we  marched  on  to  the  sup- 
posed position  of  the  battery.  Colonel  Cook  being  in  advance  of  my 
regiment  with  skirmishers  in  his  front.  We  found  some,  I  may  say 
much,  embarrassment  in  having  insufficient  information  in  regard  to 
the  enemy's  location,  as  we  coultl  only  judge  in  reference  to  that,  by 
the  smoke  and  reports  of  pieces  lately  heard  and  seen  in  that  direction. 
We  found  also  very  considerable  difficulty  in  marching  in  the  requisite 
order,  owing  to  the  timber  and  denseness  of  the  undergrowth,  on  which 
the  snow  was  thickly  depositing  and  melting  somewhat  rapidly. 

Wo   advanced  forward,  however,  in  quick   time,  until  nearing  the 
enemy,  wc  halted  for  the  purpose  of  gaining,  if  possible,  some  more  defi- 


115 

nite  idea  of  his  position,  tlie  skirmishers  having  rallied  on  their  bat- 
talion ^yithout  (as  I  learned  from  Colonel  Cook,)  being  able  to  furnish 
very  definite  information.  Colonel  Cook  and  myself  advanced  a  few 
paces  beyond  our  commands,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  such  observa- 
tions as  would  enable  us  to  direct  the  movements  of  our  rcgimcntg  to 
the  best  possible  advantage.  We  discovered  portions  of  the  enemy's 
baggage  at  the  distance  of  about  one  hundred  yards,  just  over  the 
point  of  a  hill  in  our  front.  Being  thus  better  satisfied  of  their  posi- 
tion, and  that  an  engagement  must  immediately  occur,  we  accordingly 
deployed  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  line  of  battle,  ray  right  restin,!i-  on 
Colonel  Cook's  left,  and  the  3rd  Tennessee  on  my  left.  The  enemy- 
opened  a  terrific  fire  upon  us  about  the  time  or  before  we  had  fairly 
executed  the  deployment.  The  force  here  against  us,  consisted  of  on9 
battery  supported  by  six  infantry  regiments,  all  of  which  ultimately 
engaged  in  the  fight.  I  oi'dered  ray  entire  command  to  fire  and  load 
kneeling,  as  in  that  position,  the  main  body  of  the  enemy's. fire  would 
and  did  pass  over  us. 

The  officers  and  men  under  me,  on  this  occasion,  evinced  great 
coolness,  bravery  and  determination  for  success  in  this  most  unequal 
contest.  They  directed  their  fire  with  unusual  accuracy,  which  told 
desperately  and  rapidly  upon  the  enemy,  who,  under  its  terrible  effect 
and  force,  gave  ground,  while  we  advanced  upon  them  about  twenty 
paces.  A  further  advance  would  have  lost,  on  our  part,  an  advantage 
in  position,  by  which  we  had  been  very  considerably  benefitted.  And 
altliough  the  enemy  continued  their  retreat  until  they  had  gone  be- 
yon<l  the  reach  of  our  guns,  it  was  not  deemed  consistent  with 
the  orders  for  the  movements  of  our  whole  array  on  that  day,  as 
made  known  on  the  previous  night  from  Generals  Floyd,  Pillow  and 
Buekner  to  myself  and  other  commanders  of  regiments,  to  pursuetha 
severr.l  forces  any  further  in  that  direction.  Besides  this,  many  of 
my  arms,  (flint-lock  muskets,)  by  coming  in  contact  with  the  melting 
snow,  had  become  too  inefficient  for  further  use  until  they  coul  1  be 
dried  and  put  in  proper  order.  My  ordnance  wagons  were  more  tliaa 
a  hall  mile  distant  and  the  men  only  had  a  few  rounds  of  ammunition 
each  remaining  in  their  boxes.  I  marched  my  regiment,  therefore, 
back  to  a  better  position,  a  distance  of  say  one  hundred  and  fifty 
paces,  ordered  the  men  to  put  their  pieces  in  order,  by  drying  tlicin  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  sent  for  an  additional  supply  of  ammunition,  made 
details  to  have  my  woumled  taken  from  the  field  and  properly  cared 
for,  and  threw  out  a  small  number  of  skirmishers  in  connection  with 
Colonel  Cook,  to  notice  the  movemc.ts  and  position  of  the  enemy, 
who  reported  that  he  had  gone  back  beyond  the  Wynnes  Ferry  roa<l, 
and  c<nild  not  be  seen  at  all  from  the  position  of  our  lato  engagement. 

1  was  informed  on  the  afternoon  of  the  14th  of  Februhry.  and 
again,  at  a  late  hour  of  that  niglit.  by  General  Buckncr  and  Colon ol 
Brown,  that,  for  the  reasons  gi .en  at  the  time,  (not  material  here  to  re- 
cite.) the  Generals  in  command  had  determined  to  evacuate  Donolson 
and  jnovc  the  whole  of  our  troops  to  Nashville,  or  in  that  direction, 
and  orders  were  given  me,  by  Colonel  Brown,  to  prepare  my  command 
accordingly,  with  ration?,  kc.  for  the  march.      1  was  further  irforracd 


U6 

that,  to  execute  this  purpose,  our  wbo^.c  army  ^oukl,  at  an  early  hour 
on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  movo  upon  the  right  wing  of  the  Federal 
lines,  cut  our  way  through  and  inarch  out  in  the  direction  stated. 
The  whole  of  the  enemy's  right  having  been  driven  back,  thus  I  waa 
informed,  removing  all  further  difficulty  in  the  way  of  executing  our  pur- 
pose. I  was  every  moment  expecting  to  receive  orders  to  march  my  re- 
giment, together  with  the  balance  of  our  troops,  in  the  direction  of 
Nashville.  But,  before  I  could  get  all  of  my  dead  and  wOunded  from 
the  field,  fvnd  have  them  provided  for  and  disposed  of,  an  order  camo 
to  ms,  said  at  the  time  to  come  from  General  Pillow,  to  move  my  com- 
mand immediately  back  to  the  position  from  which  I  started  on  that 
Biorning,  and  which  I  had  been  holding  for  several  days.  I  accord- 
ingly returned  to  ray  trendies.  In  a  very  few  minutes  after  I  reached 
my  position,  and  before  Colonel  Hanson  (just  to  my  right)  had  gained 
his  trenches,  several  Federal  regiments,  under  command  of  General  C. 
F.  Smith,  commenced  their  attack,  and  took  possession  of  a  part  of  Col- 
cnel  Hanson's  unoccupied  works.  Unable,  under  these  circumstances 
and  against  such  rcma:kable  odds,  to  drive  back  the  attacking  regi- 
ments, Colonel  Hanson  immediately  fell  back,  with  his  command,  on 
my  line,  where,  reinforced  by  the  Idth  Mississippi,  the  3d,  41st.  49th 
Tennessee  and  parts  of  other  commands,  a  long  and  desperate  struggle 
ensued,  closing  at  sunset  with  a  decided  and  brilliant  victory  to  our 
arms — the  fj^rht  having  lasted  for  at  least  two  hours.  The  losses  of 
the  enemy,  in  all  the  engagements  above  referred  to,  as  ascertained  by 
subsequent  visits  to  their  grounds,  were,  indeed,  very  great,  exceed- 
ing ours  both  in  killed  and  wownded,  I  must  say,  in  any  moderate 
estimate,  at  least  seven  to  one. 

Besides  the  conflicts,  already  named  in  this  report,  the  Federal 
forces  made  several  attempts  upon  my  works,  but  were  in  every  in- 
stance gallantly  met,  and  signally  repulsed. 

On  the  night  of  the  15th,  the  whole  of  my  command,  except  the 
detail  made  to  continue  the  work  of  strengthening  and  extending  our 
breast-works,  stood  to  their  arms,  constantly  expecting  a  renewal  of 
engagements,  uzitil  about  two  o'clock  of  the  following  morning.  At 
this  hour  I  received  orders  from  Brigade  headquarters  to  move  my  re- 
giment, as  rapidly  as  possible,  to  Dover,  a  distance  of  one  and  a  half 
miles,  where,  I  was  informed,  further  orders  would  be  given  me.  It 
was,  however,  well  understood  ajuong  all  parties  that  the  object  of  the 
march  was  to  evacuate  our  entire  position.  I  reached  Dover  somo 
time  before  daylight,  and  reported  to  Generals  Floyd,  Pillow  and 
Euckner,  all  of  whom  were  still  there,  and  who  ordered  me  to  halt 
anil  await  further  directions.  A  messenger  from  Colonel  Brown's 
fccadquarters  soon  came^  ordering  me  back  to  my  trenches,  and,  on 
returning  to  my  quarters,  found  that  General  Buckner's  whole  com- 
c;and  had  been  surrendered.  This  was  my  first  notice  of  that  fact, 
and  was  thus  received  on  Sunday  morning  at  half  past  five  o'clock. 

Throughout  the  period  covered  by  this  report,  the  men  and  officers 
of  my  conimand  underwent  an  astonishing  amount  of  hard  labor  and 
toil — suffering  greatly  from  the  want  of  rest,  from  terrible  exposure 
and/atigue,  and  in  the  absence  of  nearly  all  the  comforts  even  of  camp 


H7 

life.  But  every  demand  upon  their  strength  and  energy  was  promptly 
met.  Every  order  was  unhesitatingly  obeyed,  and  every  hardship  and 
suffering  bravely  and  patiently  endured,  evincing  a  glorious  spirit  of 
self-sacrifice  and  deteimination,  now  mentioned  alike  in  simple  justice 
to  them  and  with  the  utmost  pride  and  satisfaction  to  m3'self.  On  the 
field  my  entire  field  and  staff,  company  officers  and  men  (with  scarcely  a 
noticeable  exception,)  bore  themselves  nobly  and  gallantly,  displaying, 
on  every  occasion,  a  dauntless  courage  and  patriotism,  alike  deserv- 
ing the  praises  of  their  chivalrous  State,  and  the  approval  of  a  glori- 
ous country. 

Many  officers  and  men  of  my  command  arc  justly  entitled  to  the 
merit  of  personal  honor  and  distinction.  Lieutenant  W.  W.  Smith, 
of  company  C,  shot  and  killed  instantly  on  the  field,  fell  covered  with 
glor\'  in  the  gallant  discharge  of  his  duties,  as  did  the  other  lamented 
dead  and  wounded  of  my  regiment.  With  a  very  grateful  recollection 
of  my  whole  command  for  their  soldierly  and  manly  demeanor  through- 
out our  whole  campaign,  I  cannot  close  this  report  without  submitting 
with  it  acknowledgments  for  valuable  services  and  kind  offices  done 
rac  by  Lieutenants  Nat.  Gooch,  of  company  C,  and  John  M,  Douglass, 
of  company  G,  who  arc  also  very  justly  entitled  to  all  I  have  hereto- 
fore stated  on  behalf  of  other  officers. 

Owing  to  the  sudden  and  unexpected  separation  from  my  company 
officers,  I  am  unable  to  submit,  with  this  report,  the  names  of  the 
killed  and  wounded  of  my  regiment,  and  can,  therefore,  only  state 
them  in  the  aggregate: 

There  were  killed  on  the  field 4 

Mortally  wounded 6 

(Supposed)  not  mortally 38 

.   Missing 4 

Total 53 

The  foregoing  report  of  the  conduct  and  action  of  my  regiment  and 
of  its  casualties  at  Fort  Donelson,  I  have  on  this  day  the  honcr  to 
submit  to  you.  Very  respectfully, 

JOSEPH  15.  PALMER, 
Colond  Com.mnr.ding  X'^th  Tennessee  Ii(gim'n.t. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  EDWARD  C.  COOK,  COMMANDING 
THIRTY-SECOND  TENNESSEE  REGIMENT. 


FoKT    DoNELSON.   StEWAUT  Co.,  TeNN., 

February  16th,  1862. 

Colonel  John  C,  Rrown, 

Colonel  commanding  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division, 

Central  Army,  Kentucky  : 

The  32nd  Tennessee  regiment  reached  Fort  Donelson  on  the  nii^ht 
of  the  lOth  inst..  -with  five  hundred  and  fifty-five  men,  rank  and  file, 
many  of  the  regiment  having  been  left  sick  at  Russellville,  Kentucky, 
many  at  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  and  some  on  furlough  sick  at 
home.  "We  were  placed  on  the  left  of  General  Ruckner's  division.  Tho 
entire  regiment  were  employed  making  intrenchments  till  the  same 
were  finished.  The  enemy  began  to  fire  upon  us  with  artillery  and 
sharpshooters  as  early  as  Tuesday  evening  the   1  Ith. 

The  weather  was  extremely  cold,  and  being  kept  continually  at 
labor  and  on  duty,  we  suffered  much  from  exposure.  The  regiment 
although  held  in  readiness  at  every  moment,  was  not  engaged  in  actual 
fight  until  Saturday  the  15th.  On  Friday  night  we  were  ordered  to 
have  cooked  rations  for  three  days,  and  with  knapsacks  packed,  to  be 
ready  to  march  at  4  o'clock  next  morning.  I  then  learned  that  it  had 
been  determined  by  the  Generals  in  council  at  that  hour,  to  march  to 
the  extreme  left  of  our  entrenchments,  attack  the  enemy's  right 
wing  and  turn  it,  and  if  we  succeeded,  to  march  for  Nashville.  The 
next  morning  at  4  o'clock,  our  brigade  marched  to  the  left  of  our  en- 
trenchments. Just  as  we  were  approaching  the  extreme  left  of  our  en- 
trenchments, General  Buckner  ordered  me  to  place  my  regiment  in 
column  of  division  under  cover  of  the  hill  in  the  rear  of  Green's  bat- 
tery, and  to  sustain  it.  We  remained  here  until  about  ten  o'clock  A. 
M.,  when  General  Billow  ordered  me  to  move  my  regiment  to  the 
right,  and  to  cross  the  entrenchments  and  attack  a  battery  of  the  ene- 
my, which  was  then  firing  at  us  and  seemed  to  be  situated  some  eight 
hundred  yards  from  our  entrenchments.  Just  as  we  were  marching 
across  the  entrenchments,  General  Buckner  and  Colonel  Brown  came 
cp,  and  upon  learning  the  order  General  Pillow  had  given,  General 
Buckner  ordered  me  to  proceed  to  attack  the  battery,  and  ordered 
Colonel  Palmer,  with  his  regiment,  to  sustain  me.  I  forwarded  the 
regiment,  crossed  the  entrenchments,  threw    out   two   companies  as 


119 

skirmishers,  and  moved  forward  the  regiment  in  the  direction  of  the 
enemy's  battery.  The  skirmishers  very  soon  engaged  the  enemy's 
akirniishcrs,  drove  them  back,  killing  some,  taking  five  prisoners,  and 
c  ipturing  some  five  minnie  muskets.  We  moved  forward  through  woods 
with  thick  undergrowth,  the  bushes  were  covered  v.ith  snow  which 
was  melting  slowly,  and  it  was  very  difficult  to  move  forward.  We 
bad  advanced  within  seventy-five  or  a  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy 
and  he  had  opened  fire  upon  us  with  his  battery,  when  Colonel  BroAvn 
rode  up  and  ordered  me  to  move  my  regiment  to  the  right  and  attack 
the  battery  at  this  point.  The  bushes  were  very  thick  and  we  could 
with  great  difficulty  move  forward.  Our  skirmishers  fired  upon  the 
enemy  and  rallied  upon  the  battalion.  I  immediately  ordered  the 
regiment  to  kneel  and  fire,  and  to  load  and  fire  kneeling.  The  fire 
began.  Colonel  Palmer  on  my  left,  immediately  opened  fire  from  his 
regiment.  The  firing  was  kept  up  rapidly.  The  regiment  all  the  while 
glo'.vly,  but  gradually,  moved  forward.  We  were  protected  by  cover 
of  the  timber  and  hill,  from  the  enemy's  shot.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
W.  r.  Moore  fell  very  early  in  the  action,  wounded  in  the  right  knee, 
and  was  carried  from  the  field  to  the  hospital.  This  left  me  with  no 
field  officer  to  aid  me,  Major  Brownlow  having  been  left  sick  at  Rus- 
sell vi  lie  ;  Adjutant  Jones  being  on  duty  part  of  the  day,  but  was  not 
with  the  regiment  in  the  engagement.  1  soon  discovered  many  of  the 
muskets  failed  to  fire,  the  priming  being  wet.  (The  most  of  the  regi- 
ment being  armed  with  inferior  flint-lock  muskets.)  After  a  while 
the  left  wing  of  the  regiment  began  to  fall  back  slowly,  and  then  the 
right  wing  in  ^ood  order,  and  being  satisfied  the  condition  of  many 
of  the  guns  in  order  to  do  execution  must  be  wiped  and  dried,  and 
knowing  that  the  regiment,  after  falling  back  a  short  distance,  would 
be  entirely  protected  from  the  enemy's  shot,  I  determined  to  let  them 
fall  back.  After  they  fell  bnck  about  one  hundred  yards,  I  halted  the 
regiment  and  ordered  the  men  to  wipe  and  dry  their  guns.  Upon 
inquiry  as  to  why  they  fell  back,  the  officers  informed  me  they  heard 
an  order  "  to  fall  back,"  and  believed  it  came  from  proper  authority. 
After  the  guns  were  cleaned,  I  threw  out  two  companies  of  skirmish- 
ers, who  proceeded  as  far  as  the  "  Wynn's  Ferry  road,"  in  which  wa.s 
placed  the  enemy's  battery,  when  we  .attacked,  and  the  skirmishers  re- 
turned and  reported  that  the  enemy  had  retired  beyond  the  road  and 
could  not  be  seen.  After  waiting  sometime  and  receiving  no  orders. 
Colonel  Palmer  and  I,  after  consultation,  determined  to  march  our 
regiments  back  to  the  entrenchments  where  we  had  crossed,  and  where 
my  regimrnt  had  left  their  knapsacks.  When  we  reached  the  entrench- 
ments. Major  ('osby  gave  me  an  order  from  (Jeneral  I'uckncr,  to 
march  my  regiment  immediately  back  to  the  entrenchments  we  had 
left  in  the  morning.  At  this  moment,  we  felt  satisfied  that  the  Wynn's 
Verry  road  was  clear  and  the  way  to  Nashville  open.  "  That  fortune 
had  smiled  upon  us,  and  that  we  otight  to  prove  to  her  we  were  worthy 
of  her  favors."  We  marched  rajidly  back  to  our  entrenchments  and 
took  position  in  them.  In  a  few  minutes  the  enemy  appeared  in  largo 
force  in  front  of  us  and  threatened  to  attack  us  until  night  came  on. 
Early   at  night  I  received  orders  to  have  three  days  cooked  rations 


prep  1  red,  and  with  knapsacks  packed  to  be  ready  to  march  at  four 
p'clock  next  morning.  At  the  appointed  hour,  we  marched  out  for 
Dover,  and  before  wc  reached  Dover,  we  were  ordered  to  return  to  our 
entrenchments  and  learned  that  capitulation  for  a  surrender  was  going 
on.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that  the  officers  and  privates  of  the 
regiment,  although  jaded  from  labor  and  exposure,  at  all  times  ex- 
hibited great  willingness  to  obey,  and  anxiety  to  promptly  execute  all 
orders.  In  battle  they  behaved  coolly  and  courageously,  and  not  one 
of  the  regiment  ever  left  the  line  or  his  post  of  duty.  The  morale  of 
the  regiment  was  not  corrupted  or  destroyed,  and  even  after  it  was 
known  we  were  surrendered,  we  had  not  a  single  straggler  from  the 
regiment. 

During  the  engagement  on  the  15th,  we  lostin  killed  and  had  wounded 
in  company  A,  commanded  by  Captain  Willis  Worley,  1  killed,  3 
wounded,  whose  names  I  cannot  give,  as  I  have  no  report  from  com- 
pany A.  I  hereto  attach  a  li&t  of  tlie  other  companies  of  the  regi- 
ment, giving  the  names,  number  engaged,  and  the  killed,  wounded  and 
missing.  At  the  earliest  moment  it  can  be  obtained,  I  will  forward 
a  list  of  company  A,  to  be  made  a  part  of  the  exhibit  hereto. 

Our  gallant  Colonel  Moore  died  from  the  wound  he  received.  The 
regiment,  as  well  as  all  who  knew  him,  deeply  mourn  his  death.. 

The  Surgeon  James  F.  Grantt,  Quartermaster  John  T.  Shephard, 
Commissary  E.  Shields  Wilson,  Quartermaster  Sergeant  James  V. 
Campbell,  were  all  at  their  post  and  did  their  full  duty.  Captain  John 
D.  Clark,  a  drill  master,  was  on  duty  during  the  entire  Aveek,  and  in  the 
engagement  of  the  13th.  Captain  D.  C.  Sims,  a  di^ll  master,  as- 
signed to  my  regiment,  was  on  duty  a  portion  of  the  week,  but  not  in 
the  engagement  of  the  15th,  being  reported  sick. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Number  of  regiment,  rank  and  file,  at  Fort  Donelson,  -  555 

"                  *'           at  Donelson,  not  engaged  on  Saturday,    -  21 

*•                  *'                      '*           engaged  on  Saturday,  -  '  531 

killed,    -             -             -             -"  -  3 

*'                  "           wounded  and  surrendered,            -  - .  15 

*'                  '*                  "        aiid  not  surrendered,     -  -  21. 

"                 "           missing,               .             .             -  _  l 

"                 "           escaped,              _             _             _  .  i 

.     "                 "           wounded,             -             -             - .  -  36 

"           surrendered,       -             -             -  -  528 


Respectfully,  ED.  C.  COOK, 

Colond  o^nd  Tennessee  regiment. 


Tort  Warrin,  July  30th,  1862. 


/ 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  W.  L.  DOSS,  COMMANDING  FOUR- 
TEENTH  MISSISSIPPI  REGIMENT. 


To  Colonel  John  C.  BrowiV, 

Commanding  \st  Brigade, 

General  Buckner^s  Division  : 

Sir:  I  have  tie  honor  to  report  the  following  operations  of  the 
14th  re<5iment  Miseissippi  Volunteers,  during  the  engagement  at  Fort 
Donelson,  ending  on  the  loth  February,  1862. 

On  the  morning  of  the  loth  of  Fcbruar}^  at  3  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  re- 
ceived orders  to  have  my  regiment  in  readiness  to  move  in  two  hours. 
About  day-light  we  took  up  line  of  march  in  the"  direction  of  our  left 
wing.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  we  progressed,  owing  to  the 
country,  which  was  hilly  or  mountainous,  afld  covered  with  snow  and 
ice. 

During  our  march  shells  were  constantly  falling  around  us,  without 
doing  us  any  damage,  until  we  halted  in  rear  of  the  entrenchments, 
where  I  formed  the  regiment  in  close  column  by  company.  We  were 
protected  to  some  extent  from  the  shells  of  the.encmy  by  forming  on 
the  hill  side,  which  was  thickly  set  with  undergrowth.  At  this  place 
Captain  J.  L.  Crigler,  of  Company  "  G,"  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  right  arm,  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell,  and  was  unable  to  proceed 
farther  wiih  his  company. 

I  received  orders  to  deploy  two  companies  as  skirmishers,  and  soon 
after  the  battalion  was  ordered  to  dislodge  a  battery  in  position,  appa- 
rently about  four  hundred  yards  to  our  front.  The  regiment  moved 
off  by  the  right  Hank,  until  it  reached  our  entrenchments,  when  it  ad- 
vanced in  line  of  battle.  We  very  soon  came  to  a  small  field,  con- 
taining about  ten  or  fifteen  acres,  where  our  march  was  somewhat  im- 
peded by  an  aKatis  made  by  the  enemy.  At  this  point  we  were  fired 
upon  by  their  skirmishers.  I  ordered  the  battalion  not  to  return  the 
fire.  The  right  wing  of  the  battalion  was  faced  to  the  right,  and 
marched  up  the  hill  some  distance  under  a  heavy  fire  ;  then  faced  to  the 
front,  and  ordered  to  op^n  fire  upon  the  enemy.  In  the  meantime  tho 
left  wing  had  marched  through  a  gap  in  the  abatis,  faced  to  the  right 
and  rejoined  the  four  right  companies,  when  a  general  engagement  en- 
sued. At  this  point  Captain  F.  M.  Rogers,  of  Company  "  E,"  fell, 
gallantly  cheering  his  men  on.  The  engagement  at  this  point  continued 


122 

for  about  an  hour  or  more  ;  the  men  displaying  great  coolness  andbra- 
rery,  and  the  officers  great  galhmtry.  The  regiment  suffered  severely  at 
this  point,  and  was  ordered  to  retreat  by  Major  Cassady,  who  had 
been  appointed  by  General  Backner  to  assist  me,  (Colonel  Baldwin 
beinf'  in  command  of  a  brigade  on  the  extreme  left.)  After  falling 
back  some  two  hundred  yards,  I  endeavored  to  rally  the  regiment  on 
the  18th  Tennessee  regiment,  but  Major  Cassaday  insisted  and  gave 
the  order  to  the  regiment  to  fall  back  to  the  entrenchments,  which  was 
done.  After  remaining  there  about  one  hour,  w^e  were  again  ordered 
out  by  General  Buckncr  to  support  a  section  of  Captain  Graves'  bat- 
tery. We  marched  down  the  Wynn's  Ferry  Road  about  one  mile,  and 
halted  on  the  top  of  a  hill  by  General  Buckner,  when  the  enemy's 
battery  opened  a  galling  fire  of  shot  and  shell  upon  us.  It  was  soon 
ascertained  that  Captain  Graves'  battery  could  do  but  little  good  there, 
and  was  ordered  back,  (I  think  by  General  Pillow,)  whereupon  my 
regiment  was  ordered  to  take  its  original  position  on  the  right.  Upon 
our  arrival  there  we  found  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  of  the 
entrenchments  on  the  extreme  i*ight,  which  had  been  occupied  by  the 
2d  Kentucky  regiment,  and  which  was  then  engaged  with  the  enemy, 
to  regain  their  original  position. 

My  regiment  was  immediately  ordered  to  their  support,  and  on  ar- 
riving there  we  found  the  enemy  advancing  upon  us  in  considerable 
numbers,  when  we  were  ordered  to  open  lire  upon  them,  AvhicK  Avaa 
kept  up  from  about  3  o'clock  until  about  dark,  when  the  enemy  re- 
tired. The  men  slept  upon  their  arms  during  the  night.  About  one 
o'clock  I  received  your  order  to  have  my  regiment  ready  to  march  in 
an  hour,  which  order  was  countermanded  about  day-light. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

W.  L.  DOSS, 
Major  Commanding  Wth  Regiment  Missisippi  Volunteers. 


I  AST   OF  KILLED,    WOUNDED  AND   MISSING  of  the  1 4th 
Mississippi    Regiment. 


Co. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

Missing. 

Co.  A, 

T.  A.  Mi  Icr, 
G.  J.  Everett, 
J.  P.  Walts, 

G.  M.  Hill, 

' 

Wni.  Rogers, 

Co.  B, 

II.  S.  Jack, 

C.  C.  McCracken, 

Co.  C, 

J.  J.  Clark, 

J.  E.  Davis, 

J.  G.  Watt, 

J.  F.  Merchant, 

G.  T.  James, 

J.  II.  Montgomery, 

, 

R.  M.  Boll, 

W.  II.  Petty, 
Lt.  F.  Duqilcrcron, 
L.  L.  Coopi-r, 
W.  II.  Peebles, 
W.  II.  Ilogan, 
Joe  Whhoy 
•  T.  T.  Weiherly, 
Willis  Cooke, 
Wm.  II.  Pierce, 
Corp'l  McNatt, 
J.  \V.  llardj', 

Co.  D, 

Amos  Carter, 

N.  Harris, 

Lt.  Wm.  McGowen, 

T.  King, 

C.  llodgers, 

J.  Carter, 

C.  D.  Brashier, 

R.  Herring, 

Co.  E, 

Capt.  F.  M.  Rogers, 

Serg't  J.  G.  Crump, 

Private  Elliott, 

Serg't  Nailers, 
Private  Clarke, 
"       Nash, 
«       Nash, 
"       Ilamack, 
"       BickerstafT, 

"       Simms, 

Carter, 

"       (Jrecn, 

Allison, 

Co.  F, 

Dudley  Truman, 

Lt.  Stephens, 

N.  B.  Ilohnes, 

Private  S.  Boggctt, 
J.  G.  Moore, 
J.  P.  Webb, 

• 

N.  Monre, 

Three  missing; 

Tom  Moore, 

names  not  given. 

Tom  Crow, 

Joe  Ingram, 

James  La, 

John  Woodall, 

124 


List  of  Kil'cd,  Wounded  and  3Iissi7ig — (Continued.) 


Co. 

Killed. 

"WOCNDEI). 

Missing. 

Co.  F, 

John  Kirkpatrick, 

Co.  G, 

L.  Murphy, 

Serg'l  J.  L.  Perkins, 

Capt.  J.  L.  Crigler, 
J.  S.  Tucker, 
T.  Donohb, 
J.  T.  Peters, 
J.  E.  Reeves, 

A.  J.  Rollins, 
J.  M.  Rollins, 
P.  W.  Selbv, 

B.  L.  Smith. 
James  Stall ings, 
AV.  II.  Ward, 

Co.  II, 

Scrg't  B.  F.  Bcarman 
Private  Mclni.^ 

AVashington   Jones:, 
J.  N.  Alexander, 
AV\  T.  Fisher, 
R.  L.  Hill, 
James  Ilorden, 
J.  D.  Addy, 

Robt.  AVest, 

• 

- 

R.  L.  Mayes, 
Corp'l  Barnes, 
Jos.  Fairchild, 
(J.  M.  Marcy, 
Capt.S.  J.  Colli  son. 

AVm.  AVest, 

H.  Coats, 

AVm.  McDowell, 

Co.  I, 

J.  J.Johnson, 
J.  L.  Sadler, 
Pat  Barro'.v, 

James  Brock, 
James  AVesf, 
AA".  L.  Stewajt, 
AV.  Kendal, 

AV.  Moss, 

J.  T.  Johnson, 

Joel  Butler, 

AVilliam  Bealcs, 

James  Tyrone, 

Co.  K, 

J.  F.  AYilliams, 

II.  C.  Howard, 
A.  Kirk, 

—  Sappington, 

—  AViiherspoon, 

—  McCown, 

• 

R.  Rcagh, 

—  Buckingham. 

Total, 17. 

84 

9 

W.  L.  DOSS, 
Major  Commanding  X-Wi  Itcgimcnt  Mississippi  Vols. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  ROBERT  FARQUILVRSON,  COM- 
MANDING FORTY-FIRST  REGIMENT  TENNESSEE  VOL- 
UNTEERS. 


In  obedience  to  :in  order  from  General  Pillow  the  regiment  arrived 
at  Fort  Donelson  about  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Thursday,  Februarv  13th, 
18G2. 

Field  Officers,  Commissioned  and  Non-Covxmissioiied,  Staff  Officers. — 
Robert  Farquharson,  Colonel  ;  Robt.  G.  McClure,  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel ;  Thomas  G.  Miller,  Major  ;  Jake  Anthony,  Lieutenant  and  Ad- 
jutant; Albert  G.  Clopton,  Surgeon;  Wm.  B.  Smith,  Assistant 
Surgeon  ;  Edward  A.  Norton,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  ;  John  K, 
Farris,  Hospital  Steward  and  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  ;  Thomas  B. 
McNaughton,  Commissary  of  Subsistence;  John  Gordon,  Acting 
Commissary  of  Subsistence;  Wm.  E.  Barringer,  1st  Lieutenant  and 
drill  instructor  ;  Wm.  G.  Reed,  1st  Lieutenant  and  drill  instructor; 
John  L.  Dusenbury,  Sergeant  Major;  Erwin  P.  Jett,  Quartermaster 
Sergeant ;  Albert  Fricrson,  Ordnance  Sergeant. 

Companies. — A.  W.  W.  James,  Captain.  1  1st  lieutenant,  2  2nd 
lieutenants,  3  sergeants,  4  corporals.  Go  privates;   aggregate  76. 

B — W.  L.  Brown,  Captain.  2  2nd  lieutenants,  4  sergeants,  3  cor- 
porals, 48  privates  ;  aggregate  58. 

C — J.  D.  Scott,  Captain.  1  1st  lieutenant,  1  2nd  lieutenant,  4  ser- 
geants, 2  corporals,  41  privates;   aggregate  o3. 

D — J.  11.  George,  Captain.  1  2nd  lieutenant,  4  sergeants,  1  cor- 
poral, 53  privates;  aggregate  Gil. 

E — Lieutenant  Fondville,  Commanding.  1  1st  lieutenant,  1  2nd 
lieutenant,  2  sergeants,  4  corporals,  33  privates;   aggregate  41. 

F — A.  S.  Boone,  Captain.  2  2nd  lieutenants,  4  sergeants,  1  cor- 
poral, 59  privates  ;  aggregate  67. 

G — C.  II.  Bean,  Captain.  1  1st  lieutenant,  2  2nd  lieutenants,  2 
sergeants,  2  corporals,  41  privates  ;  aggregate  49. 

II — J.  C.  Obburn,  Captain.  4  sergeants,  3  corporals,  46  privates  ; 
aggregate  54. 

I — A.  M.  Keith,  Captain.  1  lat  lieutenant,  2  2nd  lieutenants,  4 
«cr;.eant9,  2  corjiorals,  44  privates;  aggregate  54. 

K — J.  A.  Moore,  Captain.  1  Ist  lieutenant,  2  2nd  lieutenants,  3 
sergeants,  4  corporals,  37  privates ;  aggregate  48 — 560. 


126 

Field  officers,  commissioned  and  non-commissioned,  staff,  &c.  &c., 
15. 

Aggregate  575. 

Bemarks  and  CasuaKies. — Thomas  B.  McNaughton,  commissarj  of 
Bubsistence,  killed  Febuary  I3th.  1862;  John  K.  "Wiley,  private  com- 
pany C,  killed  February  15th,  1862. 

Mark  Collier,  private  company  A,  slightly  wounded  February  13th 
1862. 

II.  M.  Carter,  private  company  A,  wounded   February  Itth,  1862. 

George  W,  Ale.xander,  private  company  A,  sick  and  missing  ;  A. 
P.  Bla'kwcU,  private  company  A,  sick  and  missing ;  L.  M.  Ruse, 
private  company  A,  sick  and  missing;  J.  M.  Johnson;  private  com- 
pany A,  sick  and  missing  ;  Young  Taylor,  private  company  A,  sick 
and  missing  ;  N.  B.  Reese,  private  company  A,  missing  ;  N.  S.  Ruse, 
private  company  A,  missing ;  Mark  Redd,  private  company  A,  missing ; 
n,  D.  Hoots,  1st  sergeant  company'  A,  missing  ;  G.  W.  Lane,  private 
company  A,  missing;  Joseph  ]'ain{)liii,  private  company  A,  missing; 
J.  D.  Cook,  private  company  A,  missing  ;  George  Blackwcll,  private 
company  J3,  sick  and  missing  ;  Nicholas  Burns,  private  company  B, 
missing  ;  John  W.  Formwalt,  private  company  C,  missing  ;  Jesse  C. 
Franklin,  1st  sergeant  company  D,  missing;  James  J,  Alexander, 
private  company  D,  sick  and  missing  ;  John  W.  Wicks,  private  com- 
pany I),  missing;  James  Hill,  private  company  E,  wounded  ;  George 
J.  Hamby,  private  company  E,  wounded  ;  E.  L.  Brobston,  private 
company  E,  missing;  H.  W.  Smiley,  private  company  E,  missing  ; 
R.  .M.  Dromgoole,  private  company  F,  wounded  ;  George  Gregory, 
private  company  F,  wounded  ;  II.  A.  Wilson,  private  company  F,  sick 
tnd  missing  ;  Charles  Driver,  private  company  I,  missing  ;  William 
Driver,  private  company  I,  missing;  Peter  Williams,  private  company 
I,  missing;  E.  M.  Patterson,  private  company  K,  missing;  W.  W. 
Koonce,  private  company  K,  sick  and  missing. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Went  into  the  fight  with  575  aggregate. 

Killed — T.  B.  McNnughton,  commissary,  and  J.  K.  Wiley,  private 
company  C. 

Wounded  six — Mark  Collier,  company  A  ;  H.  M.  Carter,  company 
A  ;  ..James  Hill,  company  E  ;  George  B.  Hamby,  company  E  ;  It.  M. 
Dromgoole,  company  F ;  George  Gregory,  company  F. 

Missing  26 — Non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 

The  regiment  executed  all  the  orders  given  to  it,  and,  as  far  as  I 
know,  each  man  did  his  duty. 

R.  FARQUHARSON, 
Culonel  A  \  si  'Regiment  Tennessee  Volunteers. 


RErORT  OF  COL.    A.  IIEIMAN,  COALMANDING  BRIGADE. 


Richmond,  August  9th,  1863. 
Major  G.  B,  Cosby,  A.  A.  General: 

Sir: — My  imprisonment  since  the  surrcu'ler  of  the  troops  at  Fort 
Donclson,  prevented  me  from  reporting  the  operations  of  the  Brigailo 
under  my  command  <luring  the  action  at  Fort  Donclson  before  now. 
In  the  absence  of  General  Billow,  who  commanded  the  Division  to 
which  my  Brigade  was  attached,  it  becomes  ray  duty,  and  I  have  the 
honor  to  submit  to  you  the  following  report : 

After  the  battle  of  Fort  Henry,  on  the  6th  of  February  Ir.st,  I  waa 
directed  by  General  Tilghtnan,  then  in  command  of  the  defences  of 
the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  rivers,  to  retreat  with  the  garrison  of 
the  Fort  by  the  upper  road  to  Fort  Donclson.-  The  garrison  consist- 
ed, besides  the  company  of  artillery  which  was  surrendered  with  the 
Fort,  of  two  Brigades,  the  first  commanded  by  myself,  and  the  second 
by  Col.  Drake,  consisting  of  an  aggregate  of  about  2,6i)l)  men.  After 
a  vcr}'^  tedious  march,  we  reached  Fort  Donelson  at  12  o'clock  at  night, 
where  Colonel  Head,  of  the  3i)th  Tennessee,  was  in  command  during 
the  absence  of  General  Tilghman.  Expecting  the  arrival  of  General 
B.  R.  Johnson  and  other  general  officers  in  a  few  days,  I  did  not  as- 
sume command,  Vihich  would  have  been  my  duty,  being  next  in  com- 
mand to  General  Tilghman. 

General  Johnson  arrived  on  the  8th,  General  Pillow  on  the  9th,. 
General  Buckner  on  the  12th,  and  General  Floyd  on  the  13lh  of 
February. 

The  Brigade  assigned  to  my  command  consisted  of  the  I'.lth  Ten- 
nessee, Lieutenant  Colonel  McGavock,  42tl  Tennessee,  Colonel 
Quarlcs,  48th  Tennessee,  Colonel  Voorhies,  53d  Tennessee,  Colonel 
Abernatliy,  27th  Alabama,  Colonel  Hughes,  and  Captain  Maney's 
Light  Batter}',  amounting  in  all  to  an  aggregate  of  about  sixteen 
hundred  (16iMi)  men. 

This  Brigade  formed  the  right  of  General  Pillow's  Division,  and 
was  in  line  on  the  left  of  the  Division  of  General  Buckner,  who  com- 
manded the  right  Aving. 

The  ground  I  occujtied  in  line  of  defence  was  a  hill  somewhat  in  the 
shape  of  :i  V,  with  t!ie  apex  at  the  angle,  which  was  the  advance  point 
as  Will  as  the  centre  of  my  command,  and  nearly  the  centre  of  tho 
wh(»le  line  of  defence.  From  this  point  the  grouu'l  descended  abruptly 
on  each  side  to  a  valley.  The  valley  on  my  right  was  about  five  hun- 
dred yards  in  width,  and  divided  my  command  from  General  Buckner';* 
Icfw  wing.   The  one  on  mv  left  was  about  half  that  width   and  run  be- 


128 

iTreen  niv  leTt  wing  and  the  Brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Drake. 
These  two  valleys  united  about  a  half  a  mile  in  the  rear.  The  ground 
in  front  of  my  line  (261)0  feet  in  length)  was  sloping  down  to  a  ravine 
and  -was  heavily  timbered. 

We  commenced  to  dig  rifle  pits  and  felling  abatis  on  the  1 1th  and 
continued  this  work  during  the  following  night,  under,  the  directions 
of  Major  Gilmer  and  Lieutenant  Morris.  Engineers,  the  latter  be- 
lonf^in<T  to  General  Tilghman's  staff.'  Tlie  pits  were  occupied  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  McGavock's  Regiment  on  the  right,  Colonel 
Voorhies'  Regiment  on  the  left,  Colonels  Abernathy's  and  Hughes' 
Recriments  and  Maney's  Battery  in  the  centre.  Colonel  Quarles' 
Regiment  I  held  in  reserve,  but  several  of  his  companies  also  had  t.o 
occupy  the  pits,  the  other  Regiments  not  being  sufficient  to  cover  the 
whole  line.  Colonel  Head,  yuth  Tennessee  Regiment,  occupied  the 
valley  between  my  command  and  Colonel  Drake's  Brigade.  I  was 
afterwards  informed  that  this  Regiment  also  was  placed  under  my 
command,  but  the  Colonel  not  having  reported  to  me  I  did  not  know 
it. 

In  tlie  meantime  the  enemy  commenced  forming  his  line  of  invest- 
ment and  his  pickets  were  seen  in  every  direction.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  the  12th  he  had  two  batteries  placed  in  range  of  my  po- 
sition, one  on  my  left  and  f^'it,  and  the  other  on  the  other  side  of  the 
valley  on  my  right.  Both  Wlti»m  in  tlic  edge  of  the  woods  and  under 
cover,  while  Captain  Maney*s  Battery  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  was 
entirely  exposed,  not  only  to  the  enemy's  artillery,  but  also  to  their 
sharpshooters.  No  time  could  yet  have  been  spared  to  protect  his 
guns  by  a  parapet,  besides  we  were  ill  provided  with  tools  for  that 
purpose.  However,  our  battery  had  some  advantage  over  the  battery 
on  my  left  in  altidude,  and  had  also  a  full  range  of  a  large  and  nearly 
level  field  to  the  left,  which  the  enemy  had  to  cross  to  attack  Colonel 
Drake's  position,  or  my  own  from  that  direction.  In  that  respect  and 
some  other  points  the  position  of  my  battery  was  superb.  The  enemy's 
bittery  on  my  right  had  only  range  of  part  of  my  right  wing,  but  was 
in  a  better  position  to  operate  on  General  Puckner's  left  wing.  Both 
batteries  opened  fire  at  7  o'clock  in  tlie  morning  and  kept  it  up  until 
5  o'clock  in  the  evening,  firing  at  any  position  on  our  line  within  their 
range.  Their  fire  was  returned  by  Maney's  Battery,  Graves'  Battery 
of  Colonel  Brown's  command  and  a  battery  at  Colonel  Drake's  posi- 
tion. The  enemy's  guns  were  nearly  all  rifled,  which  gave  them  a 
great- advantage  in  range  and  otherwise.  However,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  loss  of  two  artillery  horses,  my  command  met  with  no  other 
serious  casualties  on  that  day.  At  night  I  strengthened  my  pickets 
and  directed  Lieutenant  Colonel  McGavock  to  throw  a  strong  picket 
across  the  valley  on  my  right.  There  were  no  rifle  pits  or  any  o'her 
defences  in  that  valley,  although  a  road  leading  from  Dover  to  Paris 
landing  on  the  Tennessee  river  runs  through  it.  Colonel' Cook,  of 
Colonel  Brown's  Brigade,  co-operated  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc- 
Gavock in  guarding  this  point  afterwards.  Strong  parties  were  kept 
at  work  during  the  whole  night  in  improving  the  rifle  pits  and  felling 
abatis. 


129 

Daylight  next  morning  (13th)  showed  that  the  enemy  was  not  idle 
either.  During  the  night  he  placed  another  battery  in  position 
on  my  left,  and  the  cne  on  my  right  he  had  considerably -advanced  to 
get  a  better  range  on  my  right  and  centre,  and  on  Captain  Graves' 
battery.  He  had  also  thrown  across  the  main  valley  two  lines  of  in- 
fantry, (advance  and  rear,)  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  our 
line,  and  the  firing  of  all  his  batteries  was  resumed  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  was  promptly  answered  l^y  our  batteries.  One  of  our  gun- 
ners had  both  his  hands  shot  off  wliile  in  the  act  of  inserting  the  fric- 
tion primer. 

At  about  11  o'clock  my  pickets  came  in,  informing  me  of  the  ad- 
vance of  a  large  column  of  the  enemy.  Having  myself  been  con- 
vinced of  that  fact,  and  finding  that  they  were  deploying  their  col- 
umns in  the  woods  in  front  of  my  right  and  centre,  I  directed  Captain 
Maney  to  shell  the  woods  and  use  grape  and  canister  when  they  came 
within  the  proper  range,  which  was  promptly  executed.  Captain 
Graves  seeing  the  enemy  advancing  upon  my  line,  with  excellent 
judgment,  opened  his  battery  upon  them  across  the  valley.  In  the 
meantime^  tlicir  sharpshooters  had  approached  my  line  through  the 
woods,  fired. their  minnie  rifles  from  behind  the  tre:3,  killing  and' 
wounding  Maney's  gunners  in  quick  succession.  First  Lieutenant 
Bums  was  one  of  the  first  who  fell.  Second  Lieutenant  Massey  was 
also  mortally  wounded,  but  the  gallant  Maney,  with  the  balance  of 
his  men.  stood  by  their  guns  like  true  heroes,  and  kept  firing  into  their 
lines,  which  steadily  advanced  within  forty  yards  of  our  rifle-pits,. 
determined  to  force  my  right  vring  and  centre.  Now  the  firing  com- 
menced from  the  whole  line  of  rifle-pits  in  quick  succession.  This 
eonstnnt  roar  of  musketry,  from  both  lines,  was  kept  up  for  about 
fifteen  minutes,  when  the  enem}'  were  repulsed,  but  they  were  rallied  and 
vigorously  attacked  us  the  second  and  third  times,  but  with  the  same 
result,  and  they  finally  retired.  They  could  not  stand  our  galling  fire. 
The  dry  leaves  on  the  ground  were  set  on  fire  by  our  batteries,  and,  I 
regret  to  stiite,  that  several  of  their  wounded  perished  in  the  flames. 
The  pickets  I  sent  out,  after  their  retreat,  brought  in  about  sixty 
muskets  and  other  equipments  they  had  left  behind.  I  learned  from 
two  prisoners,  who  were  brought  in,  that  the  attack  was  made  by  tho 
17th,  48th  and  49th  Illinois  regiments,  and  have  since  learned  fVora 
their  own  report  that  they  lost  in  t'.at  attack  forty  killed  and 
two  hundred  wounded.  Our  loss  I  cannot  accurately  state,  nor  am  1 
able  to  give  the  names  of  killed  and  wounded,  as  sultsequent  events 
prevented  me  from  getting  reports  of  the  different  commanders,  but  I 
am  sure  that  my  loss  is  not  over  ten  killed  and  .about  thirty  wounded, 
nearly  all  belonging  to  Captain  Maney's  artillery  and  Colonel  Aber- 
nathy's  regiment,  which  was  at  that  time  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Winston.  The  firing  from  their  batteries  continued  alV 
day.  Late  in  the  evening,  General  Pi. low  reinforced  me  with  a  sec- 
tion of  a  light  battery  under  Capt.  Parker.  The  night  was  unusually 
cold  and  disagreeable.  Snow  and  sleet  fell  during  the  whole  night  ; 
nevertheless,  we  constructed  a  formidable  parapet  in  front  of  the  bat- 
tery, in  which  I  was  actively  assisted  by  Major  Grace,  of  the  lUth 
9 


130 

Tenncsseo.  This  hard  and  most  unpleasant  labor  wa3  chiefly  per- 
formed by  Colonel  Quarles'  rc;;iment.  It  was  a  horrible  nighty  and 
the  troops  suffered  dreadfully,  being  without  blankets, 

Kext  day,  (llth,)  finding  the  enemy  again  in  line  across  the  valley, 
and  believing  that  he  would  attempt  to  force  my  line  on  ray  right,  I 
directed  Captain  Maney  to  move  a  section  of  his  battery  down  the  hill 
in  range  of  the  valley.  The  advance  of  the  enemy  towards  this  direc- 
tion would  then  have  been  checked  by  Graves',  and  Maney's  batteries, 
ami  the  fires  of  McGavock's  and  Cook's  regiments  from  the  right  and 
left;  but  no  demonstration  was  made  in  that  direction,  although  Icon- 
iridered  it  the  weakest  point  in  our  line. 

During  the  whole  day  my  command  was  exposed  to  a  cross  fire  of 
the  enemy's  batteries  and  Avero  much  annoyed  by  their  sharpshooters. 
At  eleven  o'clock  at  night  I  was  summoned  to  attend  a  consultation 
of  general  officers  at  General  Floyd's  headquarters. 

The  general  opinion  prevailed  that  the  jdace  could  not  be  held 
ngainst  at  least  treble  the  number  of  our  forces,  besides  their  gun- 
boats, and  that  they  could  cut  off  our  communication  at  any  time  and 
force  a  surrender,  therefore,  it  was  agreed  to  attack  the  enemy's  right 
wing  in  force  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  then  to  act  according 
to  circumstances,  cither  to  continue  the  fight  or  to  cut  through  their 
.lines  and  retreat  towards  Nashville. 

General  Buckner  was  to  move  a  little  later  and  attack  the  enemy's 
flank  at  the  moment  he  was  to  give  away  to  our  forces  in  his  front.  I 
■was  directed  to  hold  my  position.  Colonel  Bailey  was  to  remain  in 
the  fort  (near  the  river)  and  Head's  regiment  was  to  occupy  the  vacated 
rifle-pits  of  General  Buckncr's  command.  I  doubted  very  much  that 
these  positions,  isolated  as  they  were  from  each  other,  could  be  held 
if  attacked,  and  I  stated  my  fears  to  General  Floyd,  who  replied,  if 
pressed,  to  full  l)ack  on  the  fort,  or  act  as  circumstances  would  dictate. 
At  the  appointed  hour  on  the  15th,  the  diftercnt  brigades  moved  to 
their  assigned  positions. 

Major  liice,  aid-de-camp  to  General  Pillow,  brought  an  order  to  me 
from  General  Buckner,  to  send  a  regiment  forward  and  hold  the  Wynn's 
Ferry  road  until  the  arrival  of  General  Buckner'^s  division.  Tliis 
duty  I  assigned  to  Colonel  Quarles'  regiment,  who  returned  after  the 
fulfillment  of  this  order.  Major  Cunningham,  Chief  of  Artillery, 
•directed  by  Geiieral  Floyd,  reported  to  me  that  two  light  batteries  were 
•ut  my  disposal.  Having  more  guns  than  I  could  use  to  an  advantage, 
and  not  a  sufficient  number  of  gunners  to  work  them,  I  respectfully 
declined  the  offer,  but  requested  him  to  send  me  efficient  gunners  for 
for  at  least  one  battery.  This  was  done.  Major  Cunningham  came 
with  them  and  remained  with  me  for  some  time.  During  the  day  my 
■guns  were  used  to  the  best  advantage,  and  at  one  time  with  excellent 
•effect  against  the  enemy's  cavalry,  who  immediately  after  were  pursued 
l)y  Forrest's  cavalry. 

About  noon  I  was  directed  by  an  aid-de-camp  of  General  Buckner 
to  guard  the  fire  of  ray  battery,  as  he  intended  to  send  a  column  to 
charge  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  Seeing  these  regiments  pass 
my  left  in  the  open  field,  and  being  aware  that  my  left  wing  could  not 


15il 

be  attacked  at  that  time,  I  sent  two  regimonts  from  mj  left,  (Colonel 
Voorhics  and  Colonel  Tluglics,)  to  their  suppor'.,  but  before  they  could 
reach  the  ground  the  three  attacking  regiments  were  withdrawn.  The 
battery  was  not  taken  and  my  regiments  returned.  Early  in  the  evening 
the  different  troops  were  ordered  back  to  their  respective  rifle-pits,  bui 
the  fighting  continued  at  different  points  until  night.  At  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning  of  the  IGth,  Lieutenant  Morman,  aid-de-camp  to  Gen- 
eral Johnson,  brought  the  order  to  vacate  the  rille-pita  without  the 
least  noise,  and  to  follow  the  movement  of  the  troops  on  my  left,  stating 
at  the  same  time  that  it  was  the  intention  to  fight  through  their  linen 
before  the  break  of  day.  All  the  forces  were  concentrated  near  Dover, 
under  the  command  of  General  Johnson.  In  the  meantime  white  flanks 
were  placed  on  the  works  of  our  former  lines,  and  by  the  time  the 
sun  rose  above  the  horizon,  our  forces  were  surrendered. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  Captains  Maney  and  Parker  of  the  artillery, 
for  their  gallant  conduct  during  the  action,  as  well  as  to  many  other 
officers  and  men,  whom,  in  the  absence  of  reports  from  their  respective 
commanders,  I  am  unable  to  particularize,  but  it  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  state,  that  with  very  few  exceptions,  they  all  have  done 
their  duty  like  brave  and  gallant  soldiers. 

To  Captain  Leslie  Ellis,  Acting   Assistant  Adjutant  General  and 
my  aid-de-camp  Captain  Bolen,  I  am   particularly  indebted   for  their 
untiring  exertions  in  assisting  rac  in  the  performance  of  mj  duties. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your. obedient  servant, 

A.  HEIMAN, 
Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


EEPORT  OF  THE  42nd  TENNESSEE  REGIMENT,  AT  THE 
BATTLE  OF  FORT  DONELSON,  ENDING  FEBRUARY 
J  6th,   1862.  .V 


CoLUMBiTAN  Hotel,  Richmond,  Va.,  ) 
August  lith,  1862.      \ 

To  Brig.  Geu.  Buckner  : 

8iR  : — The  42d  Tennessee  Regiment,  Colonel  Quarles,  was  quarter- 
ed at  Ckrksville,  Tenn.,  and  on  Wednesday  the  12th  of  February, 
received  orders  from  BrigadierGeneral  Pillow  to  proceed  to  Fort  Don- 
elson,  where  we  arrived  next  morning  on  a  transport  un  ler  a  heavy 
fire.  The  companies  were  form  c  on  the  boat  and  marched  off  in  reg- 
ular order,  and  in  passing  through  tho  village  of  Dover,  we  had  two 
or  three  men  wounded,  one  mortally,  by  the  enemy's  shells.  We  were 
consigned  to  Colonel  lleiman's  Brigade,  where  a  hot  fire  was  then 
being  carried  on.  Three  companies  were  thrown  into  the  trenches 
on  the  ilank  of  Colonel  Abernathy's  Regiment ;  tho  balance  were  re- 
tained as  a  support.  Soon  after  our  arrival  the  firing  ceased,  and  tho 
enemy  withdrew.  In  the  course  of  tho  evening  the  whole  regiment 
was  thrown  into  the  trenches,  where  they  remained  until  Saturd9,y 
morning,  with  but  little  skirmislting,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered 
about  half  a  mile  to  the  left  and  again  placed  in  the  trenches.  Here 
it  was  not  designated  to  Avhat  Brigade  tho  Regiment  belonged.  A 
lieavy  conflict  was  here  being  waged  in  our  front  about  ten  o'clock, 
A.  M.  I  believe  it  was  your  Brigade  engaged,  and  it  was  here  the 
coolness  and  daring  of  Colonel  Quarles  first  became  conspicuous. 
The  Regiment  on  his  flank  began  to  leave  the  trenches  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries.  Colonel  Quarles  rallied  the  stragglers 
and  returned  them  to  the  trenches.  Tha  Regiment  remained  here  until 
about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  we  were  ordered  to  the  extreme  right, 
where  the  enemy  were  reported  to  have  taken  some  of  our  trenches. 
Cold  and  benumbed  as  were  the  troops,  they  double  quicked  for  one 
and  a  half  miles  through  the  mud,  slush,  ice  and  snow,  formed  in  front 
of  the  enemy,  and  with  a  brisk  fire  of  some  twenty  minutes  caused 
the  enemy  to  retire. 

I  believe  you  were  present,  and  know  with  what  gallantry  it  was 
done.  Before  closing  my  report,  I  will  call  your  attention  to  the  cool, 
gallant  conduct  of  Colonel  Quarles.  He  was  always  at  the  head  of 
his  Regiment,  and  set  a  gallant  example  for  his  ofiicers  and  men. 

xhe  loss  of  the  Regiment  was  eleven  wounded,  four  mortally.  The 
■umber  engaged,  four  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  rank  and  file. 

The  above  report  is  respectfully  submitted. 

T.  McGINNIS, 
Acting  Adjutant  42d  Tenn.  Reg't. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JOHN  W.  HEAD. 


Chattanooga,  Tennf.ssee, 

Auj?u3t  23,  1862. 


\ 


To  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  General  ConfHcra'n  States: 

Sir  :  The  surrentler  of  l^^ort  Donelson  having  prevented  rac  from 
making  a  regular  report,  by  the  advice  of  General  Buckncr,  I  res- 
pectfully submit  the  following  to  you  : 

In  the  organization  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Donelson  hy  General 
Pillow,  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Henry,  the  4!)th  Regiment  of  Tennes.-^ee 
Volunteers,  commanded  by  Colonel  Iniily,  the  olKh,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Sugg,  and  the  3!)th,  commanded  by  myself,  were  placed  under 
my  command  as  a  brigade,  and  ordered  to  garrison  the  fort.  iTn 
Wednesday,  the  12th  day  of  February,  two  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats 
ascended  the  river  and  opened  a  fire  upon  the  river  batteries  and  fort. 
This  was  continued  but  a  short  time  and  resulted  in  no  injury  to  us. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  the  SUth  regiment  was  ordered  by  General 
Pillow  to  take  position  in  the  outer  line  of  defence  between  the  right 
of  the  brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Drake,  and  the  left  of  the  bri- 
gade commanded  by  Colonel  Ileiman. 

The  enemy  were  encamped,  in  force,  in  front  cf  the  position.  I 
accompanied  the  regiment,  leaving  the  fort  garrisoned  by  the  4rtth  and 
50th,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Colonel  Bailey.  The  men 
■\Nere  immediately  put  to  work  preparing  rifle-pits  for  their  protection. 
The  pits  were  completed  by  Thuri^day  morning. 

We  were  fired  upon  occasionally  daring  the  fight  on  Thursday,  but 
the  enemy  not  being  in  range  of  our  guns,  it  was  not  returned  by  ua. 

During  the  bombardment  of  the  fort  and  river  batteries  on  Friday 
by  the  enemy  from  their  boats,  our  position  was  in  range  of  their  fire. 
The  officers  and  men,  however,  behaved   with  coolness  and  gallantry. 

About  2  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning  I  received  orders  to  report 
my  regiment  to  General  Buckncr  on  the  right  wing.  This  I  did 
without  delay.  I  was  ordered  by  General  Ruckner  to  occupy  with 
my  regiment  the  line  of  defence  before  held  by  his  command,  and  if 
attacked  and  overpowered,  to  fall  back  into  the  fort. 

The  trenches  to  be  hehl  covered  a  distance  of  about  three  quarters 
of  a  mile.  The  regiment  numbered  abo.it  four  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
fit  for  duty.     The  companiea  of  Captains   Carson   and   Sample  were 


f8« 

placed  in  the  pits  on  the  extrerao  right,  before  held  by  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  Hanson ;  the  company  of  Captain  Martin  was  held  as  a  reserve. 
The  three  companies  were  placed  under  Major  Turner,  with  instruc- 
tion to  report  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy.  The  balance  of  the 
regiment  was  disposed  of  along  the  pits  occupied  by  the  remainder  of 
General  Buckner's  forces.  During  the  morning  a  brisk  fire  was  kept 
up  with  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  resulting  in  a  few  casualties  on 
both  sides. 

About  2  o'clock,  P.  M  ,  the  forces  of  General  Buckner  commenced 
arriving  at  their  encampments  from  the  conflict  with  the  enemy  on 
their  right  wing,  my  regiment  still  occupying  the  pits.  About  4 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  before  the  regiment  of  Colonel  Hanson  could.be 
arranged  in  the  pits,  the  enemy  in  heavy  force,  attacked  the  three 
companies  under  Major' Turner,  on  the  extreme  right.  They  held 
their  position  with  great  gallantry,  pouring  a  destructive  fire  into  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  until  he  passed  betjveen  the  pits  and  overpowered 
them.  They  then  fell  back  across  a  ravine  on  the  next  hill,  and  in 
connection  with  other  forces,  resumed  the  fight.  I  immediately  re- 
ported the  facts  to  General  Buckner  who  ordered  out  a  part  of  his 
command  to  sustain  us.  Seeing  that  the  soldiers  of  General  Buck- 
ner's command  was  greatly  exhausted  from  the  severe  conflict  they 
had  been  engaged  in,  with  the  enemy  in  the  forenoon,  and  that  a  bold 
and  desperate  effort  was  being  made  to  force  us  back,  I  ordered  the 
49th  and  the  right  wing  of  the  5i)th  regiments  from  the  fort  to  sustain 
us.  This  I  was  forced  to  do  without  consultation  with  or  orders  from 
General  Buckner,  inconsequence  of  his  position  rallying  and  bringing 
his  men  into  the  engagement.  The  left  winjr  of  the  5i)th  was  left  in 
th2  fort,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lockhart,  with  orders  to  report 
promptly  the  first  demonstration  against  the  fort.  I  also  ordered  the 
companies  of  Captains  Jones  and  Lovell  of  the  30th  from  their  posi- 
tion in  the  trenches,  it  being  out  of  the  range  of  the  enemy  to  sustain 
their  comrades  on  the  right.  The  remainder  of  the  30th  were  in  po- 
sition and  engaged  in  the  fight. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Robb,  of  the  49th,  was  mortally  wounded  while 
aiding  in  bringing  the  regiment  into  the  fight.  He  was  an  oflicer  of 
high  moral  worth,  beloved  by  his  command  and  acted  with  commenda- 
ble courage.  His  death  was  a  serious  loss  to  the  service.  Colonels 
Bally  and  Sugg  gallantly  led  their  commands  into  the  action.  Their 
men  fought  with  great  coolness  and  courage,  and  contributed  very 
materially  in  repulsing  the  enemy.  Indeed,  all  the  officers  and  men 
under  my  command,  although  imperfectly  drilled,  discharged  their 
duty,  and  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  country.  They  suffered 
much  from  exposure  in  the  sleet  and  snow,  for  want  of  sleep  and  food, 
but  they  bore  it  without  a  murmur.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Murphy,  of 
the  3()th,  was  confined  during  the  greater  part  of  the  week  to  his  bed 
from  sickness,  but  when  able,  was  with  the  command  and  rendered 
ofiScicnt  service. 

Company  A,  of  the  30th,  commanded  by  Captain  Bidwell,  was  in 
charge  of  one  of  the  river  batteries,  and  both  officers  and  men  won  for 
themselves   the  praise    of    all  who  witnessed  their  heroic  conduct. 


135 

During  the  engagement  I  also  ordered  two  of  tKe  heavy  guns  in  the 
fort  to  open  upon  the  enemy.  About  1 1  o'clock,  Saturday  night,  I 
received  orders  to  march  my  brigade  into  Dover  immediately,  to  join 
the  army  in  the  evacuation  of  the  place.  By  2  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  was 
in  Dover  with  ray  command,  but  was  then  ordered  back  to  camps,  in- 
form! tion  having  been  received  that  the  place  was  surrounded.  I  was 
also  advised  that  a  surrender  was  determined  upon,  and  that  the  com- 
mand had  been  transferred  to  General  Buckncr.  I  was  suffering  from 
exposure  and  threatened  with  pneumonia.  When  it  was  known  that  a 
surrender  was  determined  upon,  the  surgeon  of  the  3l)th  advised  me 
that  if  I  was  taken  prisoner  in  my  condition  it  might  cost  me  my  life. 
I  called  upon  General  Buckner,  stated  the  iiicts  to  him  and  asked  his 
advice  as  to  the  propriety  of  my  escaping,  lie  replied  that  it  was  a 
matter  that  I  must  determine  for  myself — that  he  felt  it  his  duty  to 
remain  and  share  the  fixte  of  his  men.  Feeling  that  I  could  be  of  no 
service  to  my  command  or  to  the  country  by  a  surrender,  I  left  the 
encampment  and  made  ray  escape. up  the  river.  On  my  return  I  re- 
ported myself  to  General  A.  S.  Johnston,  at  Murfreesboro'  for  duty. 
He  assigned  me  none.  I  was  unwilling  to  .retain  ray  commission 
under  the  circumstances  and  tendered  my  resignation,  the  acceptance 
of  which  was,  as  1  was  advised,  recommended  by  General  Johnston. 

J.OHN  W.  HEAD, 
Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


N' 


RErORT   OF    COLONEL   ROGER  W.  HANSON,  COMMAND- 
.   ■  ING  SECOND  KENTUCKY  REGIMENT. 


Richmond,  Va.,  Aug.  8th,  1862. 

To  Miijor  G.  B.  Copbt, 

Assistant  Adjutant  Gmeral : 

On  the day  of  February,  in  pursuance  of  orders,  I  proceeded, 

with  my  regiment  upon  the  cars  from  Russellville,  Kentucky,  to 
Clarl;sville.  Tennessee.  When  I  arrived  there,  I  was  ordered  by 
General  Pillow  to  embark  immediately  for  Fort  Donelson,  I  arrived 
there  tiiat  night..  General  Bushrod  Johnson  accompanied  us,  and 
when  we  arrived,  he  took  command.     General    Pillow  arrived  on  the 

,  and  soon  after  his  arrival,  he  placed  the  troops  in  the  position 

afterwards  held  by  them.  I  was  assigned  to  the  extreme  right  of  the 
line,  extending  to  the  right  of  Colonel  Palmer's  regiment,  to  a  slough 
formed  by  the  high  state  of  water  in  the  river.  The  position  wa3 
about  half  mile  in  length,  and  was  a  protection  in  front  and  to  the 
right  of  the  original  line  of  defence  marked  out  for  the  Fort.  I 
was  directed  to  construct  rifle-pits,  which  I  did,  locating  them  more 
than  a  hundred  yards  apart,  at  points  best  commanding  the  approaches 
to  the  position.  They  were  made  in  a  day  and  night,  and  were  neces- 
sarily very  imperfect.  I  wag  directed  to  give  up  my  tools  to  be  used 
upon  other  parts  of  the  defences.  On  Wednesday  the  12th  February, 
the  enemy  made  his  appearance  in  large  force,  pressing  around  in  our 
front,  with  the  evident  intention  of  investing  our  position.  Nothing 
was  done  to  oppose  or  prevent  his  progress,  and  the  following  morning 
found  his  lines  extending  from  the  point  of  their  disembarking  to  a 
point  on  the  river  above  our  position.  On  Thursday  morning,  the 
enemy  made  three  several  attacks  upon  my  position — in  all  of  which 
they  were  repulsed  with  but  slight  loss  upon  our  part  and  very  heavy 
upon  theirs.  In  resisting  these  attacks,  I  was  greatly  assisted  by 
Porter's  battery  upon  the  left — it  always  fired  at  the  right  time  and  to 
the  right  place.  On  Thursday  night  I  was  reinforced  by  Captain 
-Jackson's  Virginia  artillery — four  pieces.  Although  the  nighf  was 
■cold  and  inclement,  and  the  men  much  exhausted  from  the  day's  fight- 
ing, and  several  days  of  hard  work,  we  succeeded  in  getting  these 
pieces  in  good  position  and  well'  protected.  On  Friday,  I  was  rein- 
forced also  by  Colonel  Palmer's  regiment.  We  remained  under  arms 
and  in  ranks  all  day  Friday,  expecting  the  attack  to  be  renewed.  The 
firing  of  the  sharpshooters  was  incessant  from  Thursday  morning,  un- 


137 

til  the  surrender,  disturbing  and  almost  destroying  the  repose  of  my 
command. 

On  Saturday  morning  I  was  conducted  by  yourself  to  the  position 
assiojned  us,  as  a  reserved  regiment  and  a  supporting  force  for  Graves* 
artillery.  I  was  directed  not  to  leave  my  trenches  until  I  was  re- 
lieved by  a  Tennessee  regiment  from  the  Fort.  The  failure  of  this 
regiment  to  arrive  as  soon  as  contemplated,  delayed  mc  in  reaching 
the  point  assigned  me.  A  small  detachment  of  Tennesseans  arrived,  and 
I  placed  them  in  the  trenches  and  immediately  thereafter,  moved 
rapidly  to  the  battle  field. 

I  remained  in  rear  or  near  Graves'  battery,  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  General  Buckner,  until  ahout  noon,  when  Colonel 
]5aldwin  of  Mississippi,  announced  to  me  that  he  was  out  of  ammuni- 
tion, and  stated  that  unless  he  could  get  ammunition  and  reinforce- 
ments, there  was  great  danger  of  losing  the  ground  which  had  been 
won.  I  had  near  by  a  wagon  of  ammunition,  and  with  the  persever- 
ance of  Quartermaster  Estep  and  Lieutenant  Semple,  the  ammunition 
was  soon  supplied.  Previous  to  this  period,  some  one  mounted,  and 
purporting  to  be  a  staiF  officer,  approached  the  regiment  and  ordered 
off  two  of  the  left  companies  to  re-inforcc  Colonel  Baldwin's  com- 
mand. These  two  companies,  supposing  it  to  be  the  order  of  General  Pil- 
low or  Buckner,  moved  off  at  a  double  quick,  and  were  soon  engaged 
with  the  enemy  and  against  greatly  superior  numbers. 

Colonel  McCausland,  of  Virginia,  arrived  and  said,  that  unless 
they  were  reinforced,  the  enemy  would  retake  what  they  had  gained ; 
that  after  four  hours  of  hard  fighting,  the  enemy  were  bringing  for- 
ward new  troops  and  in  overwhelming  numbers.  I  examincvl  the 
state  of  the  contest.  I  saw  Colonel  Forrest  make  two  gallant,  but  un»- 
successful  charges.  I  saw  that  the  enemy  were  gradually  driving  us 
back.  My  men  were  eager  for  the  fight.  I  felt  confident  I  could  dis- 
lodge the  enemy  and  drive  them  from  their  position.  I  sent  for  Gen. 
Buckner,  he  had  gone  to  the  right  and  was  conducting  another  move- 
ment. There  was  no  time  for  delay.  I  concluded  to  take  the  respon- 
sibility and  make  the  effort. 

I  marched  the  regiment  by  the  front  across  the  abatis,  a  distance  of 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  When  I  reached  the  little  ravine 
where  Forrest  was  with  his  cavalry,  I  halted  the  regiment,  and  was 
joined  by  the  two  detached  companies.  In  front  of  us  was  an  open 
space,  which  had  formerly  been  occupied  as  a  camp.  This  space  was 
about  two  hundred  yards  in  width.  Beyond  this  space  in  the  timber 
and  thick  undergrowth,  the  enemy  were  posted.  1  directed  the  regi- 
ment, when  the  command  was  given,  to  march  at  quick  time  across 
this  space,  and  not  to  fire  a  gun  until  they  reached  the  woods  in  which 
the  enemy  were  po>tcd.  The  order  was  admirably  executed,  and 
although  we  lost  fifty  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  in  crossing  thia 
apace,  not  a  gun  was  fired  until  the  woods  were  reached.  The  enemy 
8toc»d  their  ground  until  we  were  in  forty  yards  of  them,  when  they 
fled  in  great  confusion  under  a  most  destructive  fire.  This  was  not, 
strictly  sj)eaking,  a  charge  bayonets,  but  it  would  have  been  one,  if 
the  eucmv  had  not  fled. 


13S 

Graves'  battery  was  then  moved  uy>,  and  my  regiment  moved  for- 
ward several  hundred  yards.  While  Graves  was  moving  up  his  am- 
munition and  other  preparations  were  being  made  to  hold  this  position, 
the  order  came  from  General  Pillow  to  return  to  the  trenches.  Up  to 
this  period  the  success  was  complete. 

When  I  returned  to  my  position,  and  before  the  companies  had 
reached  the  trenches,  the  enemy  attacked  in  large  force  and  took 
them.  I  fell  back  to  the  original  line  of  defence,  and  being  reinforced 
by  several  regiments,  this  position  was  retrieved;  General  Buckner, 
at  this  point  being  present  and  in  command.  This  position  was  a 
stronf'or  one  than  the  one  lost,  and  every  effort  was  made  that  night 
to  construct  defences,  but  the  men  were  so  exhausted  from  labor  and 
loss  of  sleep,  that  it  was  utterly  impossible.  1  will  take  the  liberty  to 
add,  that  up  to  the  time  when  we  were  ordered  back  to  the  trenches, 
our  success  was  complete  and  our  escape  secure. 

It  is  also  my  opinion  that  the  exhaustion  of  the  men  from  loss  of 
sleep  and  labor,  together  with  the  demoralization  caused  by  the  loss  of 
our  trenches  on  the  right,  rendered  the  surrender  unavoidable.  The 
otficers  and  men  of  my  regiment,  acted  with  great  gallantry.  The 
list  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  I  have  heretofore  furnished. 

ROGER  W.  HANSON, 
Colonel  Second  K'.niucky  Regiment. 

i 


RErOIlT  OF  COLONEL   JOHN   GREGG,  COMMANDING  7-,h 
REGIMENT  TEXAS  VOLUNTEERS. 


Richmond,  Va.,  Aug.  8th,  1SG2. 

Major  Gkorgk  Ccsby,  A.  A.  General,  Richmond : 

Major  : — In  the  absence  of  any  one  who  was  in  coinmaml  of  the 
Brigade  or  Division  of  wliich  my  Regiment  was  a  part  at  the  time  of 
the  battle  of  Fort  Donclson,  1  make  my  report  of  the  action  of  the 
Regiment  to  General  S.  B.  Buckner.  I  hope,  this  will  be  considered 
proper,  as  it  is  the  only  method  by  which  I  can  give  to  the  brave  men 
under  my  command  the  tribute  which  I  think  "due  to  their  behavior  in 
that  battle. 

The  Regiment  was  assigned  its  place  in  the  line  designated  as  our 
line  of  defence.  On  Wednesday  the  12th  February,  cleared  away  the 
timber  in  our  front  and  completed  the  digging  of  our  rifle  pits  during 
the  day  and  at  night.  The  enemy  began  to  cannonade  our  entrench- 
ments at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  Thursday,  and  kept  it  up  until  \  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  during  a  greater  part  of  the  time  making  an  enfilading  fire 
with  shells,  which  was  well  directed,  and  by  which  Lieutenant  E.  B. 
Rosson,  of  Company  A,  was  killed  and  Thomas  Jordan,  a  private  in 
Company  G,  was  slightly  wounded.  On  Friday  we  were  not  engaged. 
But  on  Saturday  morning  about  a  half  hour  before  sunrise,  we  set  out 
with  ether  regiments  to  make  the  sortie  upon  the  enemy's  right  wing. 
After  filing  around  the  base  of  the  hill,  upon  which  the  enemy  were 
drawn  up,  we  came  to  our  posiii(m,  at  the  distance  of  a  half  mile,  up- 
on the  right  of  our  line.  I  caused  the  Reg'iment  to  front  and  advance 
up  the  hill  aide,  under  a  fire  from  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  Just  be- 
fore reaching  the  crest  of  the  hill,  their  line  drawn  up  behind  it  de- 
livered fire,  and  a  most  galling  one  it  was.  Here  fell  Lieutenant 
Colonel  J.  M.  Clough,  Captain  Wm.  B.  Hill,  of  Company  H,  and 
Lieutenant  J.  W.  Nowlin,  of  Company  A,  neither  of  whom  spoko 
after  being  shot ;  and  here  also  quite  a  number  of  our  non-commis- 
Bioncd  ofBcer.s  and  privates  were  killod  and  woundcil.  But  our  lino 
continued  to  advance,  pouring  a  most  destructive  fire  into  the  enemy's 
ranks.  In  about  a  half  hour  their  line  broke  and  we  pursued  them 
to  the  next  ridge,  upon  which  a  fresh  line  was  drawn  up.  I  caused 
the  Regiment  to  continue  our  forward  movement  and  to  keep  up  a 
continuous  fire,  and  in  a  short  time  the  second  line  broke  and  fled, 
leaving  in  our  hands  one  si.x  pounder,  with  ammunition  and  horses. 
We  continued  to  press  them,  until  a  third  force  was  seen  drawn  up  in 
a  ravine  near  a  clearing ,  and  upon  this  we  pressed  and  continued  to 


140 

fire,  until  it  also  broke  ami  fled.  And  although  the  slaughter  of  the 
enemy  had  before  been  very  great,  their  difficulty  in  getting  through 
the  felled  timber  caused  our  fire  to  be  much  more  destructive  upon 
them  at  this  place.  For  more  than  the  distance  of  a  mile  through  the 
woods  the  earth  was  strewed  with  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  ene- 
my. George  Blain,  a  private  in  Company  G,  captured  and  brought 
to  me  Major  Post,  of  the  8th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  there  were  other 
prisoners  taken.  Bat  all  this  was  not  done  without  severe  loss  to  our- 
selves. Of  the  three  hundred  and  fifty  or  sixty  officers  and  men, 
whom  I  led  into  the  fight,  twenty  were  killed  on  the  field  and  thirty- 
four  were  disabled  by  wounds.  I  must  acknowledge  the  very  efficient 
assistance  of  Major  Granbury  in  the  management  of  the  Regiment 
throughout  the  entire  day.  Whrj  all  behaved  with  such  oolness  and 
courage,  it  is  hardly  admissable  to  name  particular  individuals ;  but 
the  conspicuous  gallantry  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clough,  of  Captain 
Hill,  and  of  Lieutenants  Rosson  and  Nowlin  will  ever  be  thought  of 
with  admiration  by  those  who  witnessed,  and  cherished  as  a  glorious 
memory  by  their  friends. 

Submitted  respectfully.  JOHN  GREGG, 

Col.  1th  Reg't.  Texas  Infantry. 


SUMMARY  of  Killed   and    Wounded   m   the   Second  Division,  Central 
Army  of  Kentucky,  in  the  cnzagcmcnts  at  Fort  Dondson^  Tame^see. 

In  the  3d  Brigade,  Col.  Jno.  C.  Browu,  commanding: 

Killed.  Wounded. 

38                  246  aggregate  284 

2nd  Kentucl  y  regiment, (about)          80 

Issaquena  battery, "                   3 

Porter's         *'       "                25 

392 

In  the  two  regiments    of  the   2d   Brigade,    (Col.   Baldwin), 
detached  and  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Pillow : 

Killed.  Wounded. 

;6th  Tennessee, 11  78 

26th  Missis.sippi, U  68 

BtalT  and  other  officers, 2  15  aggregate 165 

Total 557 

The  proximate  aggregate  strength  of  the  various  regiments 
was  as  follows: 

3rd  Tennessee,. 751) 

17th  Tennessee, 625 

32nd  Tennessee, 4<l!) 

14th  Mississippi, C51) 

41  St  Tennessee, 4'H) 

2nd  Kentucky, 6!):) 

3,025» 

Detached  and  under  ^  26th  Tcnnespce. 4ni 

comman<l  of  Gen-  ^  26th  Mississippi 143 

oral  Pillow.  )  844 

Aggregate  strcngtli  of  Bnokner's  division,  under  his  own  command, 
exclusive  of  two  batteries  of  artilUry,  3J>25. 
Aggregate  detachc<l  under  (tcneral  IMllow,  844. 
Aggregate  infantry  of  Buckner's  division   under  him  and  General 
Tillow,  3,869. 

•Thli  •botild  be  t,4K  If  the  returni  arc  corrrct— [^{fr*. 


^STJMuiTB  of  Killed  and  Wounded  in  those  portions  of  Gen.  Pillow's 

Command,  reporting  their   operations  at  Fort  Donelson,   Tcnnessetf 
through  Gen.  8.  B.  Buckner. 

Killed.  Wounded. 

Colonel  Heiman's  brigade, 10  30 

Colonel  Gregg's  regiment, 20  34 

Major  Brown's  regiment. 18  55 

48  119 
Aggregate  167, 


KKPOPvT 

OF    THE 

OPERATIONS  OF  THE  AEMY 

IN  NEW  MEXICO. 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  W.  U.   SIBLEY,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters,  Armv  ok  New  Mexico,  ) 
Fort  Bliss,  Texas,  M^j  4,  1862.      i 

General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General^ 

Richmond,  A'^a. : 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  the  operations  of  this  army  during  the  months  of 
February,  March  and  April,  ultimo. 

This  report  is  made  to  cover  the  whole  campaign,  for  the  reason 
that  the  special  reports  of  the  various  commanders,  herewith  enclosed, 
enter  sufficiently  into  detail  to  elucidate  the  various  actions  in  which 
the  troops  were  engaged  during  the  campaign. 

It  is  due  to  the  brave  soldiers  I  have  had  the  honor  to  command,  to 
promise  that  from  its  first  inception,  the  "  Sibley  Brigade"'  has  en- 
countered difficulties  in  its  organization,  and  opposition  and  distaste 
to  the  service  required  at  its  hands,  which  no  other  troops  have  met 
with. 

From  misunderstandings,  accidents,  deficiency  of  arms,  etc.,  instead 
of  reaching  the  field  of  its  operations  early  in  L>cptcmber,  as  was  an- 
ticipated, I  found  myself,  at  tliis  point  as  late  as  the  middle  of  Janua- 
ry, 1^)61,  with  only  two  regiments  and  a  half,  poorly  armed,  thinly 
clad,  and   almost  destitute    of   blankets.     The  ranks  were  becoming 


144 

daily  tliiimed  with  those  two  terrible  scourges  to  an  army,  small  pox 
and  jncumonia.  Not  a  dollar  of  quartermaster's  funds  was  on  hand, 
or  had  ever  been  to  supply  the  daily  and  pressing  necessities  of  the 
Bervice.  and  the  small  means  of  this  sparse  section  had  been  long  con- 
sumed by  the  force  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Baylor, 
60  that  the  credit  of  the  government  was  not  as  available  a  resource 
as  it  might  otherwise  have  been. 

IIavin<T  established  a  general  hospital  at  Dova  Ana,  I  determined 
to  move  forward  with  the  force  at  hand.  Accordingly,  during  the 
first  week  in  January,  the  advance  was  put  in  march  for  old  Fort 
Thorn.  Thence  on  the  7th  of  February,  the  movement  was  continued 
to  a  point  seven  miles  below  Fort  Craig,  when  tha  Santa  Fe  papers 
boasted  we  were  to  be  met  and  overwhelmed  by  Canby's  entire  army. 
On  the  IGth  of  February,  a  reconnoissance  in  force,  was  pushed  to 
within  a  mile  of  the  Fort,  and  battle  offered  in  the  open  plain.  The 
challenge  was  disregarded,  and  only  noticed  by  the  sending  out  of  a 
few  well  mounted  men  to  watch  our  movements.  The  forces  of  the 
enemy  were  kept  well  concealed  in  the  "  bosque,"  (or  grove)  above 
the  Fort  and  within  its  walls. 

The  reconnoissance  proved  the  futility  of  assaulting  the  Fort  in 
front,  with  our  light  mettle,  and  that  our  only  hope  of  success  was  to 
force  the  enemy  to  an  open  field  fight.  It  was  accordingly  determined 
by  a  partial  retrograde  movement  to  cross  the  llio  Grande  to  the  east 
bank,  turn  the  Fort,  and  force  a  battle  for  the  recrossing  To  do  this, 
involved  first,  the  hazardous  necessity  of  crossing  a  treacherous  scream 
in  full  view  of  the  Fort;  second,  to  make  a  "dry  camp"'  immedi- 
ately opposite  and  remote  from  the  Fort,  only  a  mile  and  a  half,  and 
the  next  day  to  fight  our  first  battle.  The  enemy  .seemed  to  have  been 
80  confounded  by  the  boldness  and  eccentricity  of  these  movements, 
that  the  first  was  accomplished  without  molestation,  save  a  demonstra- 
tion on  the  afternoon  of  the  2!)th,  as  atc  were  forming  our  camp  by 
the  crossing,  of  some  251)1)  infantry  and  cavalry,  with  the  purpose, 
apparently,  of  making  an  assault  upon  our  lines.  Here,  the  spirit  and 
courage  of  our  men  were  evidenced  by  the  alacrity  shown  in  getting 
into  line  to  confront  the  enemy.  A  few  rounds  from  our  well  directed 
guns,  undo'r  tiie  miuagement  of  Captain  Teel,  Lieutenants  Uilcy  and 
Woods,  checked  his  advance  and  drove  him  to  the  cover  of  his  sand 
revolted  mud  walls. 

It  is  proper  to  state  here,  that  these  operations,  approved  by  me, 
were  conducted  by  Colonel  Thomas  Green,  of  the  5th  regiment;  the 
«tate  of  my  health  having  confined  me  to  the  ambulance  for  several 
days  previous. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  considering  that  the  impending  battle 
must  decide  the  question  at  issue,  though  still  very  weak,  I  took  the 
saddle  at  early  d;i\vn,  to  direct  in  person,  the  movement.  Green's 
recriment.  with  the  battalion  of  the  7th,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
hiutton,  and  Captain  TeeFs  battery,  were  ordered  to  make  a  strong 
threatening  demonstration  on  the  Fort;  whilst  Scurry,  with  the  4th, 
well  flanked  by  Pyron's  command  on  the  left,  should  feel  his  way 
cautiouslv  to  the  river.  • 


145 

This  movement  was  uTifortunatcly  Qclaycd  by  the  loss,  during  tho 
night,  by  careless  hurding,  of  a  hundred  mules  of  the  baggage  train  of 
the  4th  regiment.  Rather  than  the  plan  should  be  defeated,  a  number 
of  wagons  were  abandoned,  containing  the  entire  kits,  blankets,  books 
and  papers  of  this  regiment ;  and  meanwhile,  what  was  loft  of  tho 
trains,  was  kept  in  motion  over  the  sand  hills,  which  the  enemy  had 
deemed  irapossible. 

On  reaching  the  river  bottom  at  Valverdc,  it  was  ascertained  that, 
the  enemy,  anticipating  our  movement,  had  thrown  a  large  forfce  cf 
infantry  and  cavalry,  up  the  river  to  dispute  the  water  with  us. 
Pyron  immediately  engaged  him  with  his  small  force  of  250  men,  and 
gallantly  held  his  ground  against  overwhelming  odds,  until  the  ar- 
rival of  Scurry  with  the  4th  regiment,  and  Lieutenant  Riley's  batte- 
ry of  light  howitr^ers.  At  12  M.,  the  action  becoming  warm  and  the 
enemy  evidently  receiving  large  reinforcements,  I  ordered  CrcGn'B 
regiment,  with  Teel's  battery  to  the  front. 

These,  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  gallantly  entered  into  action,  and  the 
battle  became  general.  Subsequently  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sutton, 
with  his  battalion,  was  ordered  forward  from  the  rear,  and  did  right 
good  service,  leading  his  men  even  to  the  cannon's  mouth.  At  ono 
and-a-half  P.,  M.,  having  become  completely  exhausted  and  finding 
myself  no  longer  able  to  keep  the  saddle,  I  sent  my  aids  and  other 
staff  officers  to  report  to  Colonel  Green.  ITis  official  report  attests 
the  gallantry  of  their  bearing  and  his  final  success,  resulting  in  tho 
capture  of  their  battery  and  driving  the  enemy  in  disorder  from  tho 
field,  and  thus  evidencing  his  own  intrepidity  and  the  indomitable 
courage  of  all  en.^aged. 

From  information  derived  from  reliable  sources,  the  forces  opposed 
to  us.  could  not  have  been  less  than  otiOO  men,  Avith  a  reserve  of  3!)li() 
at  the  Fort.  Ours  did  not  exceed  1,750  on  the  field,  viz  r  the  4th 
regiment  600,  5th  600,  7th  300,  and  Pyron's  command,  (of  2nd 
mounted  rifles)  250.  This  signal  victory  should  have  resulted  in  tho 
capture  of  the  Fort,  as  fresh  troops  had  been  brought  forv/arJ*to  pur- 
sue and  follow  'the  discomfited  column  of  the  enemy.  A  flag  of 
truce  was  opportunely  despatched  by  tlic  Federal  commander  bcforn 
he  reached  the  gates  of  his  Fort,  and  which  was  for  two  hours  sui;- 
poscd  ])y  our  troops  to  be  a  proposition  to  surrender. 

This  flag  had  for  its  object,  the  burying  of  the  dead  and  removal 
of  their  wounded;  and  I  regret  to  state  here,  for  the  sake  of  old  as- 
Bociations,  that  under  this  ilag  and  another  sent  next  day,  the  enemy, 
availing  himself  of  our  generosity  and  confidence  in  his  honor,  net 
only  loaded  his  wagons  with  arms  picked  up  on  the  battle  field,  but 
sent  a  force  up  and  actually  succeeded  in  recovering  from  the  river, 
one  24-poundcr,  which  had  been  left  in  our  hands.  Even  a  guidon 
and  a  flag,  taken  in  the  same  way,  under  the  cover  of  night  and  a 
white  flag,  were  boastingly  pointed  to  in  an  interview  undor  a  flig  ci" 
truce  between  one  of  my  aids,  and  the  Federal  commander  at  the  Fort, 
as  trophies  of  the  fight. 

The  burying  of  the  dead  and  care  of  the  wounded  occasioned  a  do- 
lay  of  two    days   on   the    field,   thus  leaving  us  with   bet    f-vo    days 
10 


146 

scant  rations.  In  ibis  dilemma  the  question  arose,  whether  to  a?sault  » 
tlic  Fort  in  this  crijipled  condition,  or  move  rapidly  forward  up  the 
r«ver  where  sujiplies  of  breadstufTs  and  meat  could  be  procured.  The 
latter  course,  in  a  council  of  war,  was  adopted.  Depositing  our  sick 
•.t  Locorro,  3(1  miles  above  Fort  Crai;:,  the  march  was  uninterruptedly 
made  to  Albuqunpic  where,  notwithstandin*;  the  destruction  by  the 
enemy  of  large  supplies  by  fire,  ample  subsistence  was  secured.  A 
very  considerable  quantity  of  supplies  and  ammunition  was  also  ob-  ■ 
tained  at  Cubero,  a  temporary  post  60  miles  AVest  of  Albucjurque. 
Oilier  supplies  were  also  taken  at  Santa  Fc,  and  upon  the  whole  we 
bad  a  sufficiency  for  some  three  months. 

It  is  due  to  the  Ith  Regiment  to  mention  at  this  place  an  action  of 
devotion  and  self-sacrifice,  worthy  of  high  praise,  and  the  more  com- 
mendable because  they  are  Te.xans. 

In  the  action  at  Yalvirde,  many  of  their  horses  were  killed,  thus 
leaving  them  half  foot,  ha  f  mounted  The  proposition  being  made 
to  them  to  dismount  the  whole  Regiment,  without  a  dissenting  voice, 
ft  Cavalry  Regiment  which  had*proudIy  flaunted  its  banner  bofuro  the 
onemv  on  the  2Uih.  took  the  line  of  march  on  the  24th,  a  strong  and 
reliable  Regiment  of  Infantry. 

Having  secure<l  all  the  available  stores  in  aTid  about  Albuqurque, 
and  desj)atched  Major  Pyron  with  bis  command  to  Santa  Fe  to  secure 
Huch  as  might  be  found  there,  I  determined  to  make  a  strong  demon- 
»lrntion  on  Fort  Uni  )n. 

With  this  view.  Colonel  Scurry,  with  the  4th,  and  the  batallion  of 
Colonel  Stutc's  Regiment  under  Major  Jordan,  were  pushed  forward 
in  the  direction  of  Galestio,  whilst  Colonel  Ciircen,  with  his  Regiment, 
(oth)  being  somewhat  crippled  in  transportation,  was  held  ior  a  few 
days  in  hand  to  check  any  movement  from  Fort  Craig. 

Meanwhile,  the  enemy,  having  received  reinforcements  at  Fort 
TJnion  of  9jO  men  from  IMjjc'h  l*eak,  on  or  about  the  12th  of  March, 
took  the  initiative  and  commenced  a  rapid  march  on  Santa  Fe. 

Maj(^  I'yron,  reinforced  by  four  companies  of  the  5th  Regiment, 
under  Major  Shropshire,  receiving  notice  of  this  movement,  advanced 
at  once  to  meet  him,  on  the  high  road  between  Santa  Fe  and  Union. 
On  the  2Gth  of  Mareh  a  sharp  skirmish  ensued,  <lescribed  in  detail  by 
that  officer,  wherein  many  acts  of  daring  heroism  were  enacted.  The 
Company  of  "Brigades,"  (Imlependont  Volunteers),  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  John  riiillips,  is  said  to  have  done  good 
unrvice.  One  of  their  number,  Mr.  Thomas  Cator,  was  killed 
.-.nd  two  woun  led.  On  this  occasion,  as  on  every  previous 
one,  this  eon)pany  showed  a  devotednesss  to  the  cause  which 
lias  elevated  them  and  inspired  confidence  throughout  the  army. 
Colonel  Scurry  reached  the  scene  of  action  at  daylight  next  morning 
snd  the  next  day  fought  the  battle  of  Clorietta,  driving  the  enemy 
from  the  field  with  great  loss. 

His  report  is  respectfully  referred  to  for  the  details  of  this  glorious 
selion.  I'cnding  this  action  J  was  on  my  route  to  Santa  Fe,  in  rear 
of  (Jicen's  Regifnent,  which  had  meanwhile  been  put  in  march  for  that 
place  where,  en  my  arrival,  I  found  the  whole  exultant  army  assembled. 


147 

The  sick  and  wounded  had  been  comfortably  quartered  and  attended  ; 
the  loss  of  clothing  and  transportation  had  been'  made  up  from  the 
(Miemy's  stores  and  confiscations  ;  and  indeed  everything  done  .which 
should  have  l)een  done. 

Many  friends  were  found  in  Santa  Fc  who  had  been  in  durance. 
Among  the  rest,  General  Wm.  rdliam,  who  had  but  recently  been 
'released  from  a  dungeon  in  Fort  Union 

After  the  occupancy  of  the  Capitol  of  the  Territory  for  nearly  a 
month  from  the  time  of  our  first  advance  upon  it,  the  forage  and  sup- 
plies obtainable  there  having  become  exhausted,  it  was  determined  to 
occupy  Avith  the  whole  army  the  village  of  Murzana,  intermediate  be- 
tween Fort  Union,  Albuqurque,  and  Fort  Craig,  and  securing  as  a  line 
of  communication,  the  road  to  Fort  Stanton. 

This  plan  was  disconcerted,  however,  by  the  rapid  and  continuous 
expresses  from  Albuqurque,  urging  the  necessity  of  reinforcements  to 
hold  the  place  (the  depot  of  all  our  suppl'es)  against  the  advancing 
forces  of  Canby,  from  Craig. 

The  entire  force  was  accordingly  moved  by  forced  marches  in  the 
direction  of  Albuqurque,  arriving  too  late  to  encounter  the  ene- 
my, but  time  enough  to  secure  our  limited  supplies,  from  the  contin- 
gency of  capture. 

In  our  straightened  circumstances,  the  quertion  now  arose,  in  my 
mind,  whether  to  evacuate  the  country  or  take  the  desperate  chances 
of  fighting  the  enemy  in  his  stronghold,  Union,  for  scant  rations  at 
the  best. 

The  course  adopted  was  deemed  the  wisest. 

^>n  the  morning  of  the  1 2th  of  April,  the  evacuation  commenced 
by  the  crossing  of  Scurry's  4th  Regiment,  the  Batalion  of  Stute's 
Regiment,  Pyron's  command,  and  a  part  of  the  artillery,  by  ferry 
nnd  ford,  to  the  West  bank  of  the  river.  Groen's  Regiment  was  or- 
dered to  follow,  but  finding  the  ford  to  be  difficult,  he  encamped  for 
the  night  on  the  East  bank,  hoping  to  be  able,  on  the  ensuing  morn- 
ing, to  find  a  better  ford  lower  down  the  river.  Accordingly,  on  the 
next  day  that  ofliicci  proceeded  with  his  Regiment  as  low  down  vi» 
I'eratto.  oppo^'ite  Los  Lunal,  the  point  at  which  I  had  halted  the  bal- 
nrtce  of  the  army  to  await  his  arrival.  In  the  meantime,  Canby.  hav- 
ing formed  a  junction  with  a  largo  force  from  Fort  'I;ni:)n,  debouched 
through  a  canon  after  nightfall  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  river,, 
taking  a  commanding  position  in  close  proximity  to  Green's  campy 
and  in  the  morning  opened  a  fuiious,  b'Jt  harmless  cannonade. 

On  being  notified  of  the  critic.il  situation  of  this  detached  portion 

•»r  the  army,  the  whfde  disposable   force   at    Los  Lunal,  reserving   Ji 

-iifficient  guard  for  the  train,  was  dcspntrhcd  to   its  relief.     The  pas- 

ago  of  the  river  by  this  forco  and  the   artillery  was  8ucccs{*fully  ef- 

I'Tted.  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Scurry.  « 

Following  shortly  after  with  a  portion  of  my  stafT  to  assume  the 
immcdin'  nd.  and  ^  1   the  river.  I  wa^  notified  by 

».<'vcral  M*!  thadpi'  nie  hundred  yards,  of  the  rapid 

approach  of  a  Inrgo  number  of  the  enemy's  cavalry.  Finding  myself 
•  omplctely  ctit   off,   I   had  no  other  alternative  than  to  re-cros."*  the 


U3 

river  amid  a  shower  of  balL^.  The  day  was  occupied  at  Peratto  in  in- 
effectual firing  ou  both  sides.  After  nightfall  I  gave  orders  for  the 
re-cro?sing  of  the  >vholc  army  to  the  West  bank  of  the  -river,  which 
was  effected  without  interruption  or  casualty,  and  on  the  next  morn- 
ing the  march  down  the  river  was  resumed.  The  enemy  followed  on 
the  opposite  bank,  and  both  armies  encamped  in  full  view  of  each 
other,  the  river  alone  intervening. 

The  transportation  and  artillei-y  had  by  this  time  become  such  an 
incumbrance  on  the  heavy,  san<ly  road,  without  forage  or  grass,  that 
the  abandonment  of  one  or  the  other  became  inevitable.  My  original 
plan  had  been  to  push  on  by  the  river  route,  in  advance  of  the  ene- 
my, having  the  start  of  him  two  whole  days  from  Albuqurque  to  Fort 
Craig,  attack  the  weak  garrison  and  demolisli  the  Fort, 

This  plan  was  defeated  by  Colonel  Green  not  iinding  a  crossing  of 
the  river  at  a  convenient  point. 

Colonel  Green  and  Colonel  Scurry,  with  several  other  practical  of- 
ficers, here  came  forward  and  proposed,  in  order  to  avoid  the  contin- 
.i;ency  of  another  general  action  in  our  then  crippled  condition,  that  a 
iTOute  through  the  mountains,  avoiding  Fort  Craig,  and  striking  the 
river  below  that  point,  should  be  pursued,  they  undertaking  with 
their  respective  commands  to  push  the  artillery  through  at  all  hazards 
aad  at  any  expenditure  of  toil  and  labor.  Major  Coopwood,  who  had 
familiarized  himself  with  the  country,  undertook  the  difficult  and  res- 
ponsible task  of  guiding  the  army  through  this  mountainous,  track- 
less waste. 

The  arguments  presented  in  favor  of  this  course  were  potent.  Be- 
sides having  the  advantage  of  grass  and  a  firm  road,  with  very  little 
difference  in  distance,  the  enemy  would  be  completely  mystified,  as 
afterwards  proved  to  be  the  case.  Accordingly,  all  the  wagons,  which 
could  possibly  be  dispensed  with,  were  ordered  to  be  abandoned  on  the 
ground,  seven  days  provisions  to  be  packed  on  mules,  and  the  entire 
force  put  in  march  after  night-fall.  The  route  was  a  difficult  ami 
Kost  lia7,ar<lou3  one,  both  in  respect  to  its  practicability  and  supply  of 
water.  The  successful  accomplishment  of  the  march  not  only  proved 
the  sagacity  of  our  guide,  but  the  pledge  of  Colonel  Scurry  that  the 
guns  should  be  put  over  every  ol)stacle,  however  formidal»le,  by  his 
jegiment,  was  nobly  fulfilled.  Not  a  murmur  escaped  the  lips  of  these 
Rirave  boys.  Descents  into  and  ascents  out  of  the  deepest  canons, 
■which  a  single  horseman  would  have  sought  for  miles  to  avoid,  were 
undertaken  and  accomplished,  with  a  cheerfulness  and  ability,  which 
were  the  admiration  and  praise  of  the  whole  army.  Thus,  in  ten 
days,  with  seven  days  rations,  a  point  on  the  river  where  supplies  had 
been  ordered  forward,  was  reached.  The  river,  which  was  rising  ra- 
pidly, was  safely  crossed  to  the  east  bank,  under  the  direction  of  Col- 
•anel  Qreen,  and,  at  this  moment,  I  am  happy  to  repeat,  the  whole 
force  is  comfortably  quartered  in  the  villages  extending  from  Donu 
Ana  to  this  place. 

My  chief  regret,  in  making  this  retrogade  movement,  was  the  ne- 
cessity of  leaving  hospitals  at  Santa  Fe,  Albuqurque  and  Socorro. 
Everything,  however,  was  provided  for  the  comfort  of  the  sick,  and 


149 

sufficient  funds,  in  Confederate  paper,  provided  them  to  meet  every 
want,  if  it  be  negotiated.  It  has  been  almost  impossible  to  procure 
specie  upon  any  terms.  One  thousand  dollars  is  all  I  have  been  able  to 
procure  for  the  use  of  the  hospitals  and  for  secret  service.  Tlic  llicos, 
or  wealthy  citizens  of  New  Mexico,  had  been  completely  drained  by 
the  Federal  powers,  and  adhering  to  them,  becoming  absolute  follow- 
ers of  their  army,  for  dear  life  and  their  invested  dollars.  Politically, 
they  have  no  distinct  sentiment  or  opinion  on  the  vital  question  at 
issue.  Power  and  interest  alone  control  the  expression  of  their  sym- 
pathies. Two  noble  and  notable  exceptions  to  this  rule  were  found  in 
the  brothers  Raphael  and  Manuel  Arrnijo,  the  wealthiest  and  most  re- 
spectable native  merchants  of  New  Mexico.  The  latter  had  been 
pressed  into  the  militia,  and  was  compulsorily  present  in  the  action  at 
Valverde.  On  our  arrival  at  Albuqurque,  they  came  forward,  boldly, 
and  protested  their  sjnnpathy  with  our  cause,  placing  their  stores  con- 
taining goods  amounting  to  ^21)0,0' "0  at  the  disposal  of  my  troops. 

When  the  necessity  for  evacuating  the  country  became  inevitable, 
these  two  gentlemen  abandoned  luxurious  homes  and  well  filled  store- 
houses, to  join  their  fate  to  the  Southern  Confederacy.  I  trust  they 
will  not  be  forgotten  in  the  final  settlement. 

In  concluding  this  report,  already  extended  beyond  my  anticipations, 
it  is  proper  that  I  shouM  express  the  conviction,  determined  by  some 
experience,  that,  except  for  its  political  geographical  position,  the 
Territory  of  New  Mexico  is  not  worth  a  quarter  of  the  blood  and 
treasure  expended  in  its  conquest.  As  a  field  of  military  operations, 
it  possesses  not  a  single  element,  except  in  the  multiplicity  of  its 
defensible  positions.  The  indispensable  element,  food,  cannot  be  relied 
on.  During  the  last  year,  and,  pending  the  recent  operations, 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  sheep  have  been  driven  off  by  the  Navajoes. 
Indeed,  such  were  the  complaints  of  the  people  in  this  respect,  that  I 
had  determined,  as  good  policy,  to  encourage  private  enterprises 
against  that  tribe  au.l  the  Apaches,  and  to  legalize  the  enslaving  of 
them. 

As  for  the  results  of  the  campaign,  I  have  only  -to  say  that  we  have 
beaten  the  enemy  in  every  encounter  and  against  large  odds  ;  that, 
from  being  the  worst  armed,  my  forces  are  now  the  best  armed  in  the 
country.  We  reached  this  point  last  winter  in  rags  and  blanketless. 
The  army  is  now  well  clad,  and  well  supplied  in  other  respects.  The* 
entire  campaign  has  been  prosecuted  without  a  dollar  in  the  Quarter- 
master's Department,  Capt.  Harrison  not  having  yet  reached  this  place. 
But,  sir,  I  cannot  speak  encouragingly  for  the  future.  My  troops- 
have  manifested  a  dogged,  irreconcilable  detestation  of  the  country 
and  the  people.  They  have  endured  much,  suffered  much,  and  cheer- 
fully ;  but  the  prevailing  discontent,  backed  up  by  the  distinguished 
valor  displayed  on  every  fi:ld,  entitles  them  to  marked  consideration, 
and  indulgence. 

These  con>*iderations,  in  connection  with  the  scnnt  supply  of 
provisions,  and  the  disposition  of  our  own  citizens,  in  this  section,  to 
depreciate    our    currency,   may  determine   me,   without   waiting    for 


150 

instructions,  to  move,  by  slow  marches,  down  llie  country,  both  for 
the  purpose  of  remounting  and  recruiting  our  thinned  ranks. 

Trusting  that  the  management  of  this  more  than  diflicult  campaign, 
entrusted  to  me  by  the  Government,  may  prove  satisfactory  to  the 
President, 

I  have  the  honor,  General,  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

H.  F.  SIBLEY, 
Brigadier  General  Commanding. 


DESPATCHES  FROM  CAPT.  TOM  P.  OCHILTREE,  ASSIST- 
ANT ADJUTANT  GENERAL,  ARMY  OF  NEW  MEXICO. 

San  Antonio,  April  27tli  18G2. 
To  Commanding  OmgER,  C.  S.  A., 

New  Orleans,  La.: 

I  addressed  a  letter  to  you  from  Mesilla,  Arizona,  asking  that  an 
enclosed  dispatch  bo  telegraphed  to  his  Excellency  President  Davis, 
for  fear  that  it  did  not  reach  its  destination,  I  write  again  from  this 
place. 

•     In  the  event  of  both  dispatches  reaching  New  Orleans,  simultane- 
ously, I  would  respectfully  ask  that  this  one  should  be  sent   and  the 
former  one  retained,  as  this  is  more  correct  in  details,  etc. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully, 

TOM  P.  OCHILTREE, 
Aesistant  Adjutant  General ^ 

Army  of  New  Meancc. 


San  Antonio,  Texas,  April  27th,  1862. 
IIis  ExcEU^ENCY  President  Davis  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  of  another  glorious 
victory  achieved  by  the  Confederate  army  of  New  Mexico. 

On  the  27th  March,  Lt.  Col.  Scurry,  with  1,1)00  men  from  2nd.  4th, 
-5th  and  7th  Texas  mounted  volunteers,  met,  attacked,  whipped  and 
routed  2,000  Federals,  23  miles  east  of  Santa  Fe. 

Our  loss  was  33  killed  and  3.5  wounded — among  the  killed  was  Ma- 
jor Roguet,  and  Capt.  Ruckholtz,  of  the  Ith,  and  M;ijor  Shropshire  ol' 
the  5th  Texas  mounte<l  volunteers,  Lt.  Col.  Scurry,  commanding  was 
twice  slightly  wounded,  and  Major  Pyron  commanding  battalion  2nd 
T.  M.  R.,  had  his  horse  blown  from  under  him  by  a  shell. 

The  enemy's  loss  was  over  seven  hundred  killed  and  wounded — five 
hundred  being  left  on  the  field.  Their  rout  was  complete,  and  they 
were  scattered  from  the  battle  field  to  Fort  Union. 

The  Confederate  flag  flies  over  Santa  Fc  and  Albuquerque.  At 
the   latter   place,  the  flag    was  made  of    a  captured  United    States 


m 

flag,  raised  upon  a  United  States  flag-staff — the  salute  fired  by  a  cap- 
tured United  States  battery,  and  Dixie  played  by  a  captured  United 
States  band. 

The  Federal  force  defeated  at  Glorictta,  consisted  of  1,G00  Pikes' 
Peak  volunteers  and  GdO  regulars,  under  command  of  Col.  Slough.    I 
have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  I  will  ivuit  upon  you 
w  itU  important  despatches  in  a  few  days. 
Very  rcspcctftiHv, 

TOM  P.  OCIIILTKEF, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Army  of  Neiv  Mexico. 


yi^ 


REPORT    OF    THE    BATTLE    OF    GLORTETTA,    COLONEL 
SCURRY,  COMMANDING. 


Sante  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

March  31st,  18G2. 

To  Major  A.  M.  Jackson, 

A., A.  General,  Army  New  Mexico  : 

Majou  :  Late  on  the  afternoon  of  the  26th,  while  encamped  at  Gal- 
istoe,  an  express  from  Major  Pyron  arrived,  with  the  information  tliat  the 
Major  was  enga;^C(i  in  a  sharp  conflict  witli  a  greatly  superior  force 
of  the  enemy,  about  sixteen  miles  distant,  and  urging  me  to  hasten  to 
his  relief.  The  critical  condition  of  Major  Pyron  and  his.  gallant 
comrades  was  made  knoM'n  to  the  command,  and  in  ten  minutes  the 
column  wflfs  formed,  and  the  order  to  march  given.  Our  b.Tggage  train 
was  sent  forward  under  a  guard  of  one  hundred  men,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Taylor,  of  the  7th  regiment,  to  a  point  some  six 
miles  in  the  rear  of  Major  Pyron's  position.  The  main  command 
marching  directly  across  the  mountains  to  the  scene  of  conflict.  It  is 
due  to  the  brave  men  making  this  cold  night  march,  to  state  that 
where  the  road  over  the  mountain  was  too  steep  for  the  horses  to  drag 
the  artillery,  they  were  unharnessed,  and  the  men  cheerfully  pulled 
it  over  the  difficulties  of  the  way  by  hand.  About  3  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  we  reached  Major  Pyron's  encampment  at  Johnson's  ranclie 
in  €072071  Cito.  There  had  been  an  agreed  cessation  of  hostilities  until 
»  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed 
upon  the  courage  of  the  officers  and  men  engaged  in  the  affair  of  the 
26th.  As  scon  as  daylight  enabled  me,  I  made  a  thorough  examina- 
tion of  the  ground,  and  so  formed  the  troops  as  to  command  every 
approach  to  the  position  we  occupied,  which  was  naturally  a  very  strong 
one.  The  disposition  of  the  troops  was  soon  completed,  and  by  8  o'clock 
were  ready  to  receive  the  expected  attack.  In  this  position  we  re-' 
raaincd  until  the  next  morning.  The  enemy  still  not  imiking  their 
appearance,  I  concluded  to  march  forward  and  attack  them.  Leaving  a 
small  wagon  guard,  I  marched  in  their  direction  with  portions  of  nine 
companies  of  the  4th  regiment,  under  their  respective  officers,  (Cap- 
tains Hampton,  Lesseure,  Foard,  Crosson,  Geisehcr,  Alexander,  Ruck- 
holt,  Odell,  and  Lieutenant  Holland,  of  company  R,  Captain  iScarbo- 
rough  being  unwell.)  four  companies  of  the  7th,  under  Captains  HoflT- 
man.  Gnrdfror,  Wiggins  and  Adair,  four  companies  of  the  5th  regiment, 
under  Captains  Shannon  and  Ragsdale  and  Lieutenants  Oaks  and  Scott ; 


three  pieces  of  artillery  under  Lieutenant  Bradford,  together  ^Yith 
Captain  Phillips  company  of  independent  volunteers.  From  details 
and  other  causes  they  were  reduced,  until  all  comhined  they  did  not 
nuniher  o\  er  six  hundred  men  fit  for  duty.  At  about  six  miles  from 
our  camp  the  advance  guard  gave  notice  that  the  enemy  were  near,  in 
force.  I  hastened  in  front  to  examine  their  position,  and  found  they 
were  about  one  mile  west  of  '*  Pidgcou's  Ranche"  in  canon  Gloricita. 

The  mounted  men  who  were  marching  in  front,  were  ordered  to 
retire  slowly  to  the  rear,  dismount,  and  come  into  the  action  on  foot. 
The  artillery  was  pushed  forward  to  a  slight  elevation  in  the  canon, 
and  immediately  to  open  fire.  The  infantry  were  rapidly  deployed  into 
line,  exten«ling  across  the  canon  from  a  fence  on  our  left  up  into  the 
pine  forest  on  our  right. 

About  the  time  these  dispositions  were  made,  the  enemy  rapidly 
advanced  in  separate  columns,  both  upon  our  right  and  left.  I  dis- 
patched Major  Pyron  to  the  right  to  check  them  in  that  direction,  and 
placing  the  center  in  command  of  Major  Ragnet,  I  hastened  wich  the 
remainder  of  the  command  to  the  left. 

A  large  body  of  infantry  availing  themselves  of  a  gulch  tliat  ran 
up  the  center  of  an  enclosed  field  to  our  left,  were  moving  under  its 
cover  past  our  left  flank  to  the  rear  of  our  position. 

Crossing  the  fence  on  foot,  we  advanced  over  the  clearing  some  two 
hundred  yards  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  foe  and  dashed  into  the 
gulch  in  their  midst,  pistol  and  knife  in  hand.  F©r  a  few  moments  a 
most  desperate  and  deadly  hand  to  hand  conflict  raged  along  the  gulch, 
when  they  broke  before  the  steady  courage  of  our  men,  and  fled  in  the 
wildest  disorder  and  confusion. 

Major  Pyron  was  equally  successful,  and  Major  Ragnet  with  his 
force  charged  rapidly  down  the  centre.  Lieutenant  Bradford  of  the 
artillery  had  been  wounded  and  borne  from  the  field.  There  being  no 
other  olHcer  of  the  artillery  present,  three  guns  constituting  our 
battery,  had  been  hastily  withdrawn  before  I  was  aware  of  it. 

Sending  to  the  rear  to  have  two  of  the  guns  brought  back  to  the 
field,  a  pause  was  made  to  reunite  our  forces  which  had  become  some- 
what scattered  in  the  last  rencounter.  When  we  were  ready  to  advance, 
the  enemy  had  taken  cover,  and  it  was  impossible  to  tell  whether  their 
main  body  was  stationed  behind  a  long  adobe  wall  that  run  nearly 
across  the  canon,  or  had  taken  position  behind  a  large  ledge  of  rocks 
in  the  rear.  Private  W.  D.  Kirk,  of  Captain  Phillips'  company  had 
taken  charge  of  one  of  the  guns,  and  Sergeant  Patrick,  of  the  artillery, 
another,  and  brought  them  to  the  ground.  While  trying  by  the  fire 
of  tiiese  two  guns  to  ascertain  the  locality  of  the  enemy.  Major 
Shropshire  was  sent  to  the  right  with  orders  to  move  up  among  the 
pines  until  he  should  find  the  enemy,  when  he  was  to  attack  them  on 
that  flank.  Major  Ragnet  with  similar  orders,  was  dispatched  to  the 
left.  I  informed  these  galla::it  officers  that  as  soon  as  the  sound  of 
their  guns  were  heard  I  would  charge  in  front  with  the  remainder  of 
the  cuiumand.  Sending  Major  Pyron  to  the  assistance  of  Major 
Ragnet,  ami  leaving  instructions  for  the  center  to  charge  as  the  fire 
opened  on  the  right,  I  passed  in   that  direction  to  learn  the  cause  of 


155 

Jelay  in  making  the  assault.  I  found  that  the  gallant  Major  Shrop- 
shire had  been  killed,  I  took  command  of  the  right  and  immediately 
attacked  the  enemy  who  were  at  the  ranche.  Majors  Ragnct  and  Pyron 
opened  a  galling  fire  upon  their  left  from  the  rock  on  the  mountain 
side,  and  the  centre  charging  down  the  road,  the  foe  were  driven  from 
the  ranche  to  thjp  ledge  of  rocks  before  alluded  to,  where  they  made 
their  final  and  most  desperate  stand.  At  this  point  three  batteries  of 
eight  guns  opened  a  furious  fire  of  grape,  cannistcr  and  shell  upon 
our  advancing  troops. 

Our  brave  soldiers,  heedless  of  the  storm,  pressed  on,  determined  if 
possible,  to  take  their  battery.  A  heavy  body  of  infantry,  twice  our 
number,  interposed  to  save  their  guns.  Here  the  conflict  was  terrible. 
Our  men  and  officers  alike  inspired  with  the  unalterable  determination 
to  overcome  every  obstacle  to  the  attainment  of  their  object,  dashed 
among  them.  The  right  and  centre  had  united,  on  the  left.  The  intrepid 
Ragnet,  and  the  cool,  calm,  courageous  Pyron,  bad  pushed  forward 
among  the  rocks,  until  the  muzzle  of  the  opposing  forces  guns  passed 
each  other.  Inch  by  inch  was  the  ground  disputed,  until  the  artillery  of 
the  enemy  had  time  to  escape  with  a  number  of  their  wagons.  The 
infantry  also  broke  ranks  and  fled  from  the  field.  So  precipitate  was 
their  flight  that  they  cut  loose  their  teams,  and  set  fire  to  two  of  their 
wagons.  The  pursuit  was  kept  up  until  forced  to  halt  from  the  ex- 
treme exhaustion  of  the  men,  who  had  been  engaged  for  six  hours  in 
the  hardest  contested  fight  it  had  ever  been  ray  lot  to  Avitness.  The 
enemy  is  now  known  to  have  numbered  fourteen  hundred  men.  Pike's 
Peak  miners  and  regulars,  the  flower  of  the  United  States  army. 

During  the  action,  a  part  of  the  enemy  succeeded  in  reaching  our 
rear,  surprising  the  wagon  guard,  and  burning  our  wagons,  taking  at 
the  game  time  some  sixteen  prisoners.  About  this  time  a  party  of 
prisoners,  whom  I  had  sent»to  the  rear,  reached  there  and  informed 
them  how  the  fight  ^vas  going  in  front,  whereupon  they  beat  a  hasty 
retreat,  not,  however,  until  the  perpetration  of  two  acts,  which  the 
most  barbarous  savage  of  the  plains  would  blush  to  own.  One  was 
the  shooting  and  dangerously  wounding  the  Rev.  L.  H.  Jones,  chaplain 
of  the  '1th  regiment,  with  a  Avhite  flag  in  his  hand,  the  other  an  order 
that  the  prisoners  they  had  taken  be  shot  in  case  they  were  attacked 
on  their  retreat.  These  instances  go  to  prove  that  they  have  lost  all 
sense  of  humanity,  in  the  insane  hatred  they  bear  to  the  citizens  of 
the  Confederacy,  who  have  the  manliness  to  arm  in  defence  of  their 
country's  independence. 

We  remained  upon  the  battle-field  during  the  day  of  the  2:1th  to 
bury  our  dead,  and  provide  for  the  comfort  of  the  wounded,  and  then 
marched  to  Santa  Fe  to  procure  supplies  and  transportation  to  replace 
that  destroyed  by  the  enemy. 

Our  loss  was  thirty-six  (.'JG)  killed  and  sixty  (60)  wounded.  Of  the 
killed,  21  were  of  the  4th  regiment,  one  of  the  5th  regiment,  b  of  the 
7th  regiment,  and  one  of  the  artillciy. 

That  of  the  enemy  greatly  exceeded  this  number,  44- of  their  dead 
being  counted  where  the  battle  first  opened.  Their  killed  must  have 
exceeded  considerably  over  one  hundred. 


15C 

The  country  has  to  mourn  the  loss  of  four  as  brave  anil  chivalrous 
officers  as  ever  graced  the  ranks  of  any  army.  The  gallant  Major 
Shropshire  fell  early,  pressing  upon  the  foe  and  cheering  his  men  on. 
The  brave  and  chivalrous  Major  Ra/^rnet,  who  fell  mortally  wounded 
while  engaged  in  the  last  and  most  desperate  conflict  of  the  day.  lie 
survived  long  enough  to  kno\v  and  rejoice  at  our  victory,  and  then 
died  with  loving  messages  upon  his  expiring  lips.  The  brave,  gallant 
Captain  Buckholt  and  Lieutenant  Mills,  conducted  themselves  with 
distinguished  gallantry  throughout  the  fight,  and  fell  near  its  close. 
Of  the  living  it  is  only  necessary  to  say,  all  behaved  with  distinguished 
courage  and  daring. 

This  battle  proves  conclusively,  that  few  mistakes  were  made  in  the 
selection  of  the  officers  in  this  command.  Tlicy  were  ever  in  the  front, 
lca<ling  their  men  into  tlie  hottest  of  tlie  fray.  It  is  not  too  much  to 
say,  that  even  in  the  midst  of  this  heroic  band,  among  whom  instances 
of  individual  daring  and  personal  prowess  were  constantly  occurring, 
Major  i'yron  was  distinguished  by  the  calm  intrepidity' of  his  bearing. 
It  is  due  to  Adjutant  Ellsbury  K.  Lane,  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
courage  and  activity  he  displayed  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties, 
and  to  acknowledge  my  obligations  for  the  manner  in  which  he  carried 
out  mv  orders. 

1  have  tlie  honor  to  bo. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  R.  SCURRY, 
Colonel  Commanding,  A.  N.  M. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  VALVE RDE,  COL.  GREENE, 

COMMANDING. 


Camp  Valvar dk,  February  23,  18G2. 
Major  A.  M.  Jackson, 

Assis(a7it  Adjutant   Gcnrral,  u'lrmy  <f  N.   3[.: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  of  submitting  to  you  the  following  report  of 
the  battle  of  Valvcrde,  fought  on  yesterday,  by  d  part  of  the  brig- 
ade of  Gen.  Sibley,  under  my  command.  While  in  the  act  of  turn- 
ing Fort  Craig  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  Major  Pyron,  with 
200  men  was  scntto  reconnoitre  early  in  the  morning  of  the  21st  the 
route  around  the  Mesa,  north  of  the  Fort  ami  secure  a  footing  on  tlie 
river  above.  Whilst  ^Lajor  Pyron  was  approaching  the  river  with  his 
command,  the  enemy  appeared  in  considerable  numbers  between  his 
command  and  the  river  on  the  north  of  the  Mesa,  and  opened  on  him 
about  8  o'clock,  a  heavy  firo  of  artillery  and  small  arms,  being  between 
him  and  the  water.  The  gallant  Pyron,  with  his  brave  little  force, 
kept  up  the  unequal  contest  for  an  hour  or  two,  until  the  arrival  of 
Lt.  Col.  Scurry,  with  a  part  of  his  regiment  and  Lt.  Riley's  howit- 
zer battery.  Scurry  took  position  on  the  right  of  Pyron,  and  both 
kept  up  the  contest  and  maintained  their  position  bchiitd  a  low  line  of 
sand-hill.  About  this  time  one  section  of  ('apt.  TeePs  battery  came 
up,  and  took  position  and  replied  to  the  lire  of  the  enemy.  At  12 
o'clock,  while  under  the  orders  of  the  General,  I  was  threatening  the 
Fort  on  the  South  side  of  the  Mesa,  I  received  his  orders  to  move 
up  with  all  my  disposable  force  to  the  support  of  Lt.  Col.  Scurry  and 
Major  Pyron,  after  leaving  a  sufficient  force  to  protect  the  train  which 
was  then  moving  from  our  late  camp  around  tlie  Mesa,  to  the  battle 
ground,  and  which  was  stretched  out  for  several  miles.  Our  train  was 
threatened  by  a  considerable  body  of  troops  of  the  enemy  who  mado 
their  appearance  on  the  Mesa.  Detaching  Lt.  Col.  Sutton's  command, 
and  a  detachment  from  my  own  regiment  to  protect  the  train,  I 
moved  up  with  as  much  speed  as  practicaldc  with  eight  compnnics  of 
my  regiment,  sending  forward  Major  Lockridge  with  the  two  compa- 
nies of  lancers  under  Captains  Lang  and  McCown.  My  companies 
were  placed  in  the  line  of  battle  between  Pyron  on  the  left,  and  Scur- 
ry on  the  right,  except  three,  which  were  sent  by  me  under  Lt.  Col. 
McNeill  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  north  point  of  the  Mesa,  where 
they  were  annoying  our  left,  and  threatening  our  train. 

After  these  dispositions  I  moved  up  to  the  line  of  battle  myself,  and 


158 

hy  the  orders  of  the  General,  took  command  of  the  forces  present, 
i'hc  enemy  during  the  day,  and  with  little  intermission,  kept  up  a  brisk 
trannonade  upon  us,  to  which  our  six-pounders,  under  Capt.  Teol,  re- 
plied with  effect.  The  enemy  repeatedly  advanced  with  their  skir- 
mishers to  near  our  lines,  killing  many  of  our  horses  tied  in  the  rear. 
About  3  o'clock,  V.  M.,  a  most  galling  fire  was  opened  upon  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  iScurry's  command,  on  our  right,  by  three  or  four  hun- 
dred of  the  enemy's  riflemen.  Capt.  Lang,  of  the  5th  regiment,  with 
nhout  forty  of  his  lancers,  made  at  this  time,  one  of  the  most  gallant 
and  furious  charges  on  these  light  troops  of  the  enemy  ever  witnessed 
in  the  annals  of  battles.  His  little  troop  was  decimated,  and  the  gal- 
lant Captain  and  Lieut.  Bass  severely  wounded — the  latter  in  seven 
|daces.  The  enemy  were  repulsed  by  this  gallant  charge,  and  our  right 
was  for  some  time  unmolested. 

Large  bodies  of  the  enemy's  infantry  having  crossed  the  river  about 
half-past  3  o'clock,  P.  ^L,  bringing  over  Avith  them  si.x  pieces  of 
Hplendid  artillery,  took  position  in  front  of  us,  on  the  bank  of  the 
liver  at  a  distance  of  six  hundred  yards.  In  addition  to  this  body  of 
troops,  two  twenty-four  pound  howitzers  were  placed  on  our  left  flank 
by  the  enemy.  These  were  supported  by  a  regiment  of  infantry  and  a 
regiment  of  cavalry.  The  heaviest  fire  of  the  whole  day  was  opened 
about  this  time  on  our  left,  which  was  under  the  command  of  the  gal- 
lant JiOckridge.  Our  brave  men  on  that  part  of  the  line  maintained  the 
unequal  fight  with  desperate  courage,  though  overwhelmingly  out- 
Jiurabered.  Lt.  Col.  Sutton,  now  coming  up  with  a  part  of  his  battal- 
ion, took  position  on  our  left. 

The  enemy  now  being  on  our  side  of  the  river,  opened  upon  us  a 
tremendous  fire  of  round  shot,  grape  and  shell.  Their  force  in  numbers 
was  vastly  superior  to  ours,  but  having  the  most  unbounded  con- 
fidence in  the  cournge  of  our  troo^ts,  I  ordered  a  charge  on  their  bat- 
tery and  infantry  of  regulars  in  front,  and  at  the  same  time,  INLijor 
llagnet.  of  the  4th,  with  four  companies  of  the  same,  and  Capt.  Rags- 
dale's  compaTiy  of  the  5th,  was  directed  by  me  to  charge  as  cavalry 
upon  the  infantry  and  Mexican  cavalry  and  the  two  twenty-four  pound 
howitzers  on  our  left  flank. 

Our  dismounted  trooj)s  in  front  Avere  composed  of  parts  of  the  4th 
HJid  5th  regiments  T.  M.  Y.  and  parts  of  Lt.  Col.  Sutton's  and  most  of 
I'yron's  battalions,  TeePs,  Riley's,  and  Wood's  batteries  of  artillery, 
numbering  about  75!)  on  the  ground.  Major  Ragnct's  cavalry  num- 
bered about  25'),  making  about  1,001)  men  in  the  charge. 

At  the  command  to  charge,  our  men  leaped  over  the  sand-bank, 
vihich  had  served  as  a  good  covering  to  them,  and  dashed  over  the 
open  plai", .thinly  interspersed  with  cotton  Avood  trees,  upon  the  batte- 
ry and  infantry  of  the  enemy  in  front,  composed  of  United  States 
legulars  and  Denver  City  volunteers,  and  in  a  most  desperate  charge, 
nnd  hand-to-hand  conflict,  completely  overAvhelmed  them,  killing  most 
of  their  gunnqrs  around  their  cannon,  and  driving  the  infantry  into 
the  river.  Never  Avere  double-barreled  shot  guns  and  rifles  used  to 
better  effect  A  Urge  number  of  the  enemy  Avere  killed  in  the  river 
with  shot  guns  and  six-shooters  in  their  flight. 


159 

Whilst  we  were  occupied  with  the  enemy  in  front,  Major  Ragnet,  ■ 
made  a  galhant  and  most  timely  charge  upon  the  intantry  and  cavalry 
of  the  enemy  on  our  left  flank.  This  charge  was  made  against  ten 
times  the  number  of  Ragnet's  force,  and  although  we  sufferc(l  severely 
and  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  he  effected  the  object  of  hi.s  mission 
and  occupied  the  attention  of  our  powerful  enemy  on  the  left,  while 
our  dismounted  men  were  advancing  upon  those  in  front  and  running 
them  into  the  river. 

So  soon  as  the  enemy  had  fled  in  disorder  from  our  terrible  fire  in 
front,  we  turned  upon  his  infantry  and  cavalry  and  twenty-four  pound- 
ers on  our  left  flank,  just  engnged  by  Aiajor  Ragnet.  \v  e  charged 
them  as  we  had  those  in  front,  but  they  were  not  made  of  as  good  stuff 
as  the  regulars  and  a  few  fires  upon  them  with  their  own  artillery  and 
TeeFs  guns — a  few  volleys  of  small  arms,  and  the  old  Texas  war-shout, 
completely  dispersed  them.  They  fled  from  the  field,  both  cavalry  and 
infantry,  in  the  utmost  disorder,  many  of  them  dropping  their  guns  to 
lighten  their  heels,  and  stopping  only  under  the  walls  of  the  fort. 
Our  victory  was  complete.  The  enemy  must  have  been  3,00(1  strong, 
while  our  force  actually  engaged  did  not  exceed  600.  Six  splendid 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  their  entire  equipage,  fell  into  our  hands,  also, 
many  fine  small  arms. 

This  splendid  victory  was  not  achieved  without  severe  loss  to  us. 
Major  Lockridge  of  the  5th,  fell  at  the  mouth  of  the  enemy's  guns, 
gallantly  leading  our  brave  troops  to  the  assault. 

Lt.  Col.  Sutton,  of  the  7th,  fell  mortally  wounded  at  the  head  of  his 
battalion,  while  assaulting  the  enemy's  battery. 

Several  of  our  oflicers  were  desperately  wounded,  some  of  tl>em,  no 
doubt,  mortally.  Among  them  are  the  gallant  Capt.  Lang  of  the 
lancers,  and  Lt.  Bass,  both  of  company  B,  and  Lt.  Hubbard  of  com- 
pany A.  5th  regiment. 

Captain  lleurel,  of  the  4th.  fell  in  the  gallant  cavalry  charge  of 
Major  Kagnet.  He  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  the  heroes 
of  the  day.  Like  the  gallant  Lang,  of  the  5th,  he  could  not  appreciate 
odds  in  a  battle. 

I  cannot  say  cnougli  in  praise  of  the  gallantry  of  our  surviving 
officers  and  men.  It  would  be  invidious  to  mention  names.  Were  I  to 
do  so,  the  rolls  of  Captains,  Lieutenants  and  men  wouM  liave  to  be 
here  inserted.  I  will  only  mention  the  principal  field  an<l  staff  in  tho 
engagement.  The  cheering  voice  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scurry  was 
heard  where  the  bullets  fell  thickest  on  the  field.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
McNeill,  and  the  gallant  Major  Pyron,  who  has  been  before  mentioned, 
displayed  the  most  undaunted  courage.  Major  Ragnet,  of  the  -Ith, 
though  wounded,  remained  at  his  post,  and  retired  not  until  the  field 
was  won.  These  were  the  field  officers  present,  as  I  have  just  stated. 
The  Captains,  Lieutenants  and  men  in  the  action  displayed  so  much 
gallantry  that  it  would  be  invidious  to  make  distinctions.  They 
fought  with  crpial  valor,  and  are  entitled  to  equal  credit  with  the  fieM 
and  staff  bore  mcntionctl.  • 

I  will  not  close  this  report  without  a  just  raced  of  praise  to  tho 
general    staff,    who    served    me    as    aides-de-camp    during    the    day. 


160 

Colonel  W,  L.  llobar.ls  was  in  the  tlasliing  charge  of  the  gallant  Lang; 
an<l  wounded  in  several  plicea. 

Captain  Tom  T.  Uthiltrce.  aid-do-camp  to  General  Siblov.  was 
exceedingly  useful  to  nic  on  the  field,  and  active  during  the  whole 
engagement.  He  aiisisted  me,  in  the  most  critical  moment,  to  cheer 
our  men  to  the  assault.  He  deserves  the  highest  praise  for  his 
undaunted  chivalry  and  coolness,  and  I  recommend  him  to  the  General 
for  promotion. 

Captain  Dwyer  was  also  very  useful,  gallant  and  active  during  the 
whole  action. 

1  cannot  close  without  the  mention  of  Captain  Frazicr,  of  the 
Arazona  Volunteers.  To  him,  more  than  all  others,  we  are  indebted 
for  the  succes.-iful  turning  of  Fort  Craig.  He  lead  us  over  the  high 
ground  around  the  Mesa  to  the  east  of  the  fort,  where  we  at  all  times, 
had  the  advantage  of  the  enemy,  in  case  he  had  attacked  us  in  the  act 
of  turning  the  fort. 

1  will  personalize  only  furtlior  by  the  mention  of  my  own  regimental 
staiT. 

Sergeant  Major  C.  B.  Shcppard  shouldered  his  gun  and  fought 
gallantly  in  the  ranks  of  Captain  McPhail's  company  in  the  charge. 
Jiieutenant  Joseph  1).  Sayers,  adjutant  of  the  otli,  during  tlie  whole 
dqiy,  reminded  m.c  of  a  hero  of  the  days  of  chivalry.  He  is  a  gallant, 
daring  and  dashing  soldier,  and  is  as  cool  in  a  storm  of  grape,  shell, 
canister  and  musketry  as  a  veteran.  1  recommend  him,  through  the 
General,  to  the  Tresident  for  promotion. 
Our  killed  and  woundcl  are  as  follows: 

Second  Regiment  Texas  Mounted  Volunteers,  Major  Pyron's  com- 
mand— Killed  4,  wounded  17,  missing  1. 
Teel's  Battery — Killed  2,  Avoundcd  4. 

Fourth  Ilogiment  Texas  Mounted  Volunteers, .  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Scurry's  command — Killed  8,  wounded  36. 

Fifth  Regiment  Texas  Mounted  \'oluntecrs.  Colonel  Green's  regi- 
ment— Killed  iO,  wounded  G7. 

Seventh  Regiment  Texas  Mounted  Volunteers,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Sutton's  command — Killed  2,  wounded  26. 
Total  killed  36,  wounded  159,  missing  1. 

Since  which  time  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sutton,  of  the  seventh,  and 
two  privates  of  the  fifth,  and  two  of  Teel's  battery  have  died  from 
wounds  received  in  battle. 

The  enemy's  loss  was  far  greater  than  ours.  The  precise  number 
cannot  be  ascertained  by  us,  as  many  were  killed  in  the  river,  and  a."* 
the  enemy's  white  Hag,  asking  permission  to  gather  up  their  dead 
and  wounded,  came  almost  before  the  sound  of  the  last  cannon  had 
ceased  to  reverberate  in  the  hills.  It  is  confidently  asserted  and 
believed,  by  many  of  our  officers  and  men,  that  the  enemy,  under  the 
flag  of  truce,  picked  -xip  nany  small  arms,  and  carried  them  oft"  with 
the  <le;id  wagons;  that  they  also  carried  off  their  two  twenty-four 
pound  liowitzers,  which  were  left  by  them  in  the  river.  It  is  certain 
that,  during  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  they  picked  up  a  company 
flag  and  guidon  of  my  regiment,  left  on   the  field  during  our  charge, 


161 

while  they  ■were  gathering  up  their  -wounded  and  dead ;  and,  it  is  said, 
these  are  considered  by  them  as  trophies.  I  do  not  believe  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  enemy  is  aware  of  these  facts,  as  he  would  not 
have  spoken  of  stolen  flags  as  trophies. 

I  think,  from  the  best  information  in  my  possession,  tliat  the 
enemy's  loss  must  have  been,  in  killed  and  wounded,  at  least  three 
hundred  and  fifty  or  four  hundred.  Among  their  killed  were  several 
gallant  officers. 

The  gallant  McRca  fell  at  his  guns.  Several  other  Captains  and 
Lieutenants  were  killed.  Captain  llosell,  of  the  lOth  U.  S.  infantry, 
and  several  privates  of  the  5th  and  lOth  infantry  and  Denver  City 
Volunteers  were  taken  prisoners. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

THOMAS  GREEN, 
Colonel  3rd  Regiment  Texas  Mounted  Volunteers. 

11 


REPORT  OF    COL.  W.  R.   SCURRY. 


VALVEitDF.,  New  Mkxico, 


;nF.,  xXew  Mkxico,  ) 
Feb.  22(1,  18G2.      $ 


A.  M.  Jackson, 

A.  A.  G.  Army  of  Nvw  Mexico : 

Major  : — Early  on  the  mornin!>  of  yesterday,  Avhile  the  army  ^ya^ 
encamped  on  the  East  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  opposite  Fort  Craig,  I 
received  orders  to  march  with  m;y  command,  (4th  Regiment  T.  M.  V  ) 
and  take  possession  at  as  early  an  hour  as  practicable  of  some 
point  on  the  river  above  Fort  Craig,  at  which  water  might  be  obtained. 
By  eight  o'clock  the  regiment  took  up  the  line  of  march,  accompanied 
■by  Captain  George  Frazier,  of  Major  Pyron's  Battalion  (with  his 
company),  acting  as  guide  for  the  command.  Suppo-sing  that  wc 
were  the  advance  of  the  army,  to  prevent  surprise,  1  ordered  Major 
Ragnet  to  take  tlie  advance,  with  four  companies  and  Captain  Frazier's 
compan-y,  throwing  out  at  the  same  time  front  and  Hank  patrols.  In 
a  short  time  I  learned  that  Major  Pyron,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty 
men,  was  in  our  advance.  Aware  of  the  great  vigilance  of  that  active 
officer,  1  recalled  Major  Ragnet  and  re-united  the  regiment.  A  report 
was  received  fi-om  Major  Pyron  that  tlie  road  was  clear  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  river  in  si<i;ht.  But  in  a  short  time  a  second  messaf!;e  was  re- 
ceived,  through  Captain  John  Phillips,  from  the  Major,  informing  me 
that  large  masses  of  the  enemy  were  in  his  front  and  threatening  an 
attack.  As  his  force  was  but  small,  I  was  fearful  that  he  would  bo 
ovcvpowered  before  we  could  reach  him,  and  accordingly  pushed  for- 
"^■ard,  guided  by  Captain  Phillips,  as  rapidly  as  our  horses  could  carry 
113,  to  his  relief,  and  found  him  gallantly  maintaining  a  most  unequal 
contest  against  vastly  superior  numbers.  Dismounting  my  command, 
we  formed  on  his  right  and  joined  in  the  contlirt.  For  near  two  hourt* 
we  hold  our  position  in  front  of  an  enemy  now  known  to  bo  near 
five  thousand  strong  ;  while  our  own  forces  were  not  over  seven  hun- 
•ired  in  number.  Immediately,  upon  reaching  the  field,  Captain  Fra- 
aier  joined  the  command  to  which  he  belonged,  where  he  did  good 
nervice  during  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Upon  opening  lire  with  the  Light  Howitzer  Battery,  under 
liieutcnant  John  Riley, it  was  found  to  be  ineffectual  against  the  heavier 
metal  of  the  enemy.  It  was  therefore  ordered  to  cease  firing  and  be 
withdrawn  under  cover. 


163 

At  about  one  o'clock,  Captain  Teel,  with  two  *]^nns  of  his  battory, 
reached  the  ground.  Being  placed  in  position  on  our  right,  he  opened  a 
galling  fire  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  whereupou  the  enemy 
^commenced  a  furious  cannonade  upon  him  from  their  entire  battery, 
consisting  of  eight  guns.  So  heavy  was  their  lire  that  the  Oaptain 
soon  found  himself  with  but  five  men  to  work  the  two  guns.  A.  bomb 
exploding  under  his  pieces  had  set  the  grass  on  fire  ;  still  this  gallaot 
officer  held  his  position  and  continued  his  firing  upon  the  onemy,  him- 
self seizing  the  rammer  and  assisting  to  load  the  piece. 

Seeing  his  situation,  I  ordered  Lieutenant  Ililey,  with  his  comniaad, 
to  join  him,  and  assist  in  the  efficient  working  of  his  guns.  During 
the  balance  of  the  day  this  brave  little  baud  performed  the  duty  as- 
signed them.  Judging  by  the  heavy  firing  on  the  left  that  Major 
Pyron  was  hard  pressed,  Captain  Toel,  with  more  of  his  guns,  which 
had  just  reached  the  ground,  were  dispatched  to  his  relief.  Major 
Ragnet,  with  four  companies  of  the  regiment,  was  ordered  to  maintain 
our  position  there.  I  remained  on  the  right  with  the  balance  of  my 
command  and  two  pieces  of  Teel's  Battery,  under  liieutenant  J.  II. 
McGinness,  to  hold  in  check  the  enemy,  who  were  moving  in  large 
force  in  that  direction  to  turn  our  flank.  About  this  time  ^lajor 
Lockridge,  of  the  otli  Regiment,  arrived  on  the  field  and  reported 
himself,  with  a  portion  of  that  command.  Ho  was  ordered  to  join 
our  troops  on  the  left.  During  all  this  time,  the  hre  of  the  enemy 
had  been  extremely  heavy,  while,  owing  to  the  shorter  range  of  most 
of  our  guns,  our  fire  was  reserved  until  fhcy  should  approach  suffi- 
ciently near  our  position  to  come  within  range  of  our  arms,  when 
they  were  invariably  repulsed  with  loss,  t^oon  after  the  arrival  of 
Major  Lockridge,  Colonel  Green  reached  llie  field  and  assumed  com- 
mand. At  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in  extending  our  line 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  turning  our  right,  1  found  myaelf  with  only 
two  companies  (Captain  Hardeman's  and  ('rnsson's),  oppo^-^l  to  & 
force  numbering  some  four  hundred  men,  the  other  four  companies 
being  several  hundred  yards  to  my  left.  It  was  there  that  that  daring 
charge  was  ma<le  by  Captain  Lan^,  of  the  5th  Regiment,  with  a  amall 
body  of  lancers.  But  desperate  courage  was  ineffectual  against  great 
odds  and  superior  arms  ;  and  this  comjiany  then  sustainad  the  greatest 
loss  of  life  of  any  company  of  the  brigade.  This  charge,  otherwise 
unfortunate,  had  the  effect  of  bringing  the  enomv  within  raniie  cf  our 
guns,  when  the  two  pieces  of  Captain  TceTs  I5'<iltery  anci  tho  small 
arms  of  Captains  Hardemau's  and  Crosson's  companies  opened  an  ef- 
fective fire  upon  them,  before  which  they  rapidly  retreat<>«i  with  con- 
siderable loss.  .Ju.it  before  simset  Lieutenant  Thos.  V.  Ochiltree,  of 
General  Sibley's  staff,  brought  an  order  to  prepare  for  *  charge  all 
along  the  line. 

All  prepared  for  its  prompt  execution,  and  when  the  ^o!•dJ4,  "  Up 
boys  and  at  them  !"  was  given,  straight  at  their  battery  of  fiix  guns, 
supported  by  columns  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  some  swjv^n  hnndre<^ 
yards  in  front  of  our  position,  wmt  our  brave  voIunteerK,  unmindful 
6f  the  driving  storm  of  grape  and  canister  and  musket  hslU  nont  hurl- 
ing around  them.      ^Vith  yell."  nnd  linginfi;  phouts  they  da.)ha4  no  and 


161 

on,  unt-il  the  guns  were  won  and  the  enemy  in  full  retreat  before  them. 
After  carrying  the  battery  their  guns  were  turned  upon  themselves, 
Captains  Hardemtvn  and  AValkor  manning  those  on  the  right.  Lieut. 
Rapnct.  of  lliley's  Battery,  being  on  the  ground,  I  placed  one  gun 
in  his  charge,  manning  it  uith  such  of  the  men  as  were  nearest.  The 
rammer  being  gone,  a  ilag  staff  was  used  in  its  stead.  Captain  Teel, 
coming  up,  an  efTt'Ctive  fire  was  kept  up  as  long  as  the  enemy  was  in 
reach.  In  the  mcrtntime.  a  most  timely  and  gallant  charge  was  made 
by  Major  Ragnet  from  our  left,  thus  effecting  a  favorable  diversion  at 
tbe  moment  of  our  charge  upon  their  battery.  This  charge  by  Major 
Ragnet  an<l  his  command  was  characterized  by  desperate  valor. 

In  the  last  brilliant  and  successful  charge,  which  decided  the  fortunes 
0i'  the  day,  there  were  six  companies  of  the  4th  llegiment  T.  M.  V., 
under  their  respective  Captains  (Hardeman,  Crosson,  Lesner,  Foard, 
Hampton  and  Nunn).  L'csides  those  I  saw  Captains  Shropshire, 
KiUsougii  and  McPhail,  of  the  5th  Regiment,  and  Captain  Walker, 
of  Major  I'yron's  Battalion. 

The  brave  and  lamented  Major  Lockridge,  of  the  5th  Regiment,  fell 
oimot^t  at  the  muzzle  of  the  enemy's  guns. 

Major  Byron  w:is  also  in  the  thickest  of  the  fray  and  contributed 
much  liy  his  example  to  the  success  of  the  charge,  as  did  also  Lieut. 
Ochiltree,  of  the  Gonerars  staff". 

There  were  others  there  whom  I  now  regret  my  inability  to  name. 
^^here  all,  bothoflBcers  and  men,  behaved  so  well,  it  is  impossible  to 
say  who  is  the  most  deserving  of  praise.  The  enemy  retired  across 
the  river  and  were  in  full  retreat,  when  Major  Ragnet,  Captains 
Shannon,  Adair,  Alexander,  Buckholt,  and  Lieutenant  Shurmond, 
reached  tlie  field  with  their  companies  mounted.  I  asked  and  obtain- 
ed permission  from  Colonel  Green  to  cross  the  river  with  these  com- 
panies, to  pursue  the  flying  foe. 

.  When  the  head  of  the  column  reached  the  opposite  shore,  we  were 
ordered  to  return.  Night  closed  in  on  the  hard  won  field  of  Valverde. 
'Chis  brilliant  victory,  which,  next  to  heaven,  we  owe  to  the  heroic 
«;ndurance  and  unfaltering  courage  of  our  volunteer  soldiers,  was  not 
won  without  loss.  Of  the  regiment  which  I  have  the  honor  to  com- 
qaand,  there  M'cro  eight  killed  and  fifty-six  wounded,  two  of  which 
were  mortal.  It  affords  mo  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  bear  testimo- 
ay  to  thi)  calm,  cool  and  discriminating  courage  of  Colonel  Thomas 
Green  during  the  fight.  Major  Pyron,  also,  deserves  great  credit  for 
his  soldierly  bearing  from  the  commencement  to  the  close  of  the  battle. 
Of  the-Gencrars  staff.  Major  Jackson  was  early  on  the  ground,  as  was 
•iso  Major  Brownrigg,  Captain  Dwyer  and  Lieutenant  Ochiltree,  ac- 
tively engaged  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  them.  Each 
of  these  gentlemen  exhibited  that  high  courage  which  I  hope  will  ever 
distinguish  the  ofBcers  of  the  army.  To  Majors  Jackson  and  Brown- 
^  rigg  1  am  under  obligations  for  valuable  aid  in  the  early  part  of  the 
action.  It  ie  duo  to  the  Adjutant  of  this  regiment,  Ellsbury  R.  Lane, 
that  I  should  not  close  this  report  without  stating  that  he  was  actively 
and  bravely  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  on  horseback,  un-' 
-    til  his  horse  failed^  when,  tuking  a  gun,  he  entered  the  ranks  of  Cap- 


165 


tain  Hampton's  company,  and  did  duty  as  a   private  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
•^  W.  11.  SCURRY. 

Lieut.  Col.  Com''d'g.  ith  Begt  T.  M.  V. 


REPORT  OF   MAJOR  HENRY  W.  RAGNET. 


To  A.  M.  Jack  SOX, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Army  New  Mexico  : 

Camp  Valverde,  Army  Ni,\v  Mexico, 

February  23,  186ii. 

Major:  About  sunrise  on  the  21st  instant,  whilst  in  camp  opposite 
Fcrt  Craig,  I  was  ardered  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scurry  to  take  four 
companies  of  the  4th  Texas  mounted  volunteers,  to  which  would  bo 
B^ded  Captain  Frazier's  company  from  Major  Pyron's  battalion, 
and  march  as  an  advance  to  the  river  at  the  best  point  for  approaching  it 
above  the  fort,  supposed  to  be  about  six  miles  distant.  After  marching 
about  three  miles  1  was  ordered  to  halt  and  join  Lieutenant-Colonel 
.Scurry,  who  was  approaching  with  other  companies  of  the  regiment 
und  Lieutenant  Reiley's  artillery. 

Our  course  was  then  changed  for  a  nearer  point  on  the  river.  After 
»  half  hours  march,  whilst  descending  a  canon,  the  rapid  advance  of 
the  head  of  our  column  gave  notice  that  we  were  approaching  the 
enemy.  And  emerging  into  tlie  valley,  the  firing  of  skirmishers  told 
that  Major  Pyron,  who  had  been  marching  on  our  left  flank,  was 
aJre:tdy  engaged  with  the  enemy.  A  half  mile  gallop  brought  us 
within  range  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  when  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Scurry  ordered  us  to  dismount  and  advance,  when  we  were  soon  within 
range  of  their  small  arms,  and  took  position  on  the  right  of  Major 
Pyron,  behind  a  low  bank,  about  9  A.  M.  After  we  had  taken  this 
position  about  half  an  hour,  the  enemy  moved  up  on  our  right  with 
the  evident  intention  of  flanking  us,  which  at  the  time  would  have  been 
fatal.  When  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scurry,  dividing  the  command, 
assigncdthat  position  to  mo,  and  moved  up  to  the  position  occupied  by 
him  during  the  day,  and  checked  their  advance. 

The  troops  at  this  time  with  me,  were  Major  Pyron  with  his  battalion 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty  men,  under  Captains  Walker,  Stafford  and 
Fratier,  Lieutenants  Nicholson  and  Jett,  four  companies  of  the  4th 
regiment,  under  Captains  Scarborough,  Buckholt,  Ilarvell  and  Alex- 
ander. About  noon,  one  piece  of  Captain  Teel's  battery,  under 
Lieutenant  Bradford,  was  added  to  ray  position,  which  did  good  service 
until  the  heavier  metal  of  the  enemy  silenced  it.     Soon  after  the 


167 

arrival  of  this  gun,  Major  Lockridge  arrived  with  three  companies  of 
the  5th  regiment  Texas  mounted  volunteers,  under  Captains  Shropshire, 
Campbell  and  Ragsdale,  and  Major  Pyron  and  Lieutenant  Bradford's 
commands  were  withdrawn  to  the  right.  Major  Lockridge  cnlled  my 
attention  to  the  gun,  which  had  been  partly  disabled  and  silenced  on 
our  left  at  the  foot  of  the  Mesa,  where  it  had  been  placed  in  an  endeavor 
to  disable  the  enemy's  battery  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  I  ordered 
company  B,  4th  regiment,  Captain  Scarborough  to  the  rescue,  and 
with  part  of  that  company  under  their  Captain  and  Sergeant  Nelson, 
«f  company  11,  4th  regiment.  Captain  Alexander,  and  some  of  that 
company,  I  succeeded  in  drawing  the  gun  by  hand  from  its  perilous 
position,  amid  the  hottest  cannonading  on  that  part  of  the  field,  losing 
only  one  man  killed  and  a  few  wounded. 

The  horses  of  this  gun  had  nearly  all  been  killed  by  the  enemy's 
artillery.  This  gun  was  then  used  by  three  of  Lieutenant  Reiley's 
company,  assisted  by  a  few  others,  until  I  ordered  the  fire  discontinued 
for  Avant  of  gunners,  leaving  it  double  shotted  to  await  an  anticipated 
charge  of  the  enemy.  The  enemy  threatened  us  in  such  great  num- 
bers and  their  fire  was  so  heavy,  that  .Major  Lockridge  and  myself 
each  sent  messengers  to  Colonel  Green  for  reinforcements,  failing  to 
get  which  Major  Lockridge  deemed  it  prudent  to  fall  back  to  a  sand 
bank,  about  one  hundred  yards  in  our  rear,  which  was  done  by  com- 
panies after  the  artillery  and  the  wounded  had  been  removed.  This 
gave  us  a  better  position,  as  the  ground  was  somewhat  broken  in  front. 

The  section  of  Teel's  artillery  was  now  withdrawn  to  the  right, 
leaving  only  one  howitzer  under  Lieutenant  Wood,  who  had  arrived 
at  our  new  position.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sutton  now  arrived  on  the 
fitild,  approaching  in  our  rear,  when  a  messenger  was-dispatched,  asking 
that  he  be  ordered  to  remain  by  us. 

lie  soon  marched  up  to  the  right  and  then  returned.  Major  Lock- 
ridge now  told  me  that  we  were  to  move  up  and  join  the  forces  on  the 
right  for  a  charge,  that  he  would  cover  any  movement  to  get  my  horses 
which  were  on  the  left  and  rear.  Ordering  the  companies  of  the  4th 
regiment  to  horse,  I  soon  marched  up  on  the  right  in  the  rear  of  the 
rest  of  the  command,  dismounted,  and  ordering  the  companies  then 
with  me  under  Captains  Buckholt,  Harvell  and  Alexander  of  the  4th, 
,ana  Captain  Ragsdale  of  the  5th.  into  line  to  advance. 

Colonel  Green  rode  up  and  ordered  me  to  reserve  ray  command  for 
a  charge  as  cavalry.  No  sooner  were  we  mounted  than  an  order  came 
by  Major  Pyron  to  move  down  on  the  left  and  menace  the  enemy  now 
flanking  us  in  large  force.  Marching  down  to  within  six  hundred 
yards,  I  dismounted  my  command  under  cover,  when  I  was  joined  by 
Captain  Scarborough  of  the  4th,  and  received  an  order  through  Cap- 
tain Dwyer  to  charge  the  enemy. 

Aligning  in  single  rank,  I  charged  to  within  about  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  lines,  composed  of  infantry,  supported  by  cavalry 
on  each  flank  and  in  the  rear,  and  by  artillery  on  their  right,  when? 
looking  back  I  saw  great  confusion  from  the  v/ounded  and  falling, 
horses,  for  wo  had  aligned  and  advanced  under  the  heavy  fije  of  their 
infantry  and  artillery.     I  thought  we  could  not  break  their  lines,  and 


168 

ordered  my  command  to  fall  back  and  rally  at  the  sand  bank,  vrliiqh 
we  had  left  on  our  rear  and  left.  When  I  had  arrived  at  the  sand 
bank,  I  found  that  most  of  my  command  had  passed  it  for  some  others 
etill  on  their  left,  and  that  the  position  was  untenable,  as  the  cnemyV 
artillery  now  raked  it.  I  ordered  those  there  to  follow  those  yet  in 
advance,  and  rallying  we  could  return.  Finding  Lieutenant  Wood 
with  one  howitzer,  uselessly  exposed  under  the  enemy's  fire,  I  ordered 
him  to  a  position  between  the  enemy  and  the  train,  to  protect  it  as  well 
as  he  could,  and  ordering  such  of  my  command  as  I  met  to  join  in 
the  action  on  the  right,  I  galloped  down,  then  too  late,  however,  V> 
participate  in  that  brilliant  charge  which  gave  us  the  victory. 

A  few  moments  after  reaching  the  river  bank,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Scurry  asked  permission  of  Colonel  Green  to  cross  and  pursue  the 
enemy  with  some  fresh  companies  that  had  just  come  up,  which  per- 
mission being  granted,  I  joined  with  my  command,  who  were  present, 
and,  as  the  head  of  our  column  gained  the  opposite  shore,  we  wore 
ordered  back.  Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  flag  of  truce,  ended 
the  battle  of  Valverde,  after  sunset.  During  the  entire  day,  my  posi- 
tion on  the  left  was  under  a  constant  fire  of  the  enemy's  heaviest 
artillery,  and  their  small  arms,  whose  longer  range  enabled  them  to 
keep  out  of  our  small  arm  range.  When  they  threatened  an  advance, 
and  would  reach  our  aim,  they  were  repulsed. 

The  gallant  Major  Lockridge,  of  the  5th,  whilst  in  command  of  the 
left,  won  the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  him,  and  whose  regrets  arp 
now  mingled  with  those  of  his  other  friends  at  his  death.  The  brave 
Ilarvell  of  this  command,  who  fell  in  the  charge,  he  had  bo  impatiently 
waited  for,  added  another  to  the  list  of  our  gallant  dead  at  Valverde. 
For  the  officers  and  privates,  whom  I  had  the  honor  to  command  en 
that  day,  I  can  well  say  that  they  have  never  faltered  in  their  dan^ 
gcrous  duty ;  and  for  those,  less  than  two  hundred,  whom  I  led  to  the 
charge,  against  more  than  eight  times  their  numbers,  together  with 
artillery,  the  recital  of  the  act  is  their  praise.  This  charge,  though 
at  the  cost  of  nearly  one-fifth  the  men  and  horses  in  killed  and  wounded, 
succeeded  in  checking  the  flank  movement  of  the  enemy,  in  time  to 
enable  the  charge  which  won  the  day  to  be  made. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  W.  RAGNET, 
Major  ith  regiment  T.  M.  V. 


EFPORT  OF  MAJOR  C.  S.  PYRON. 


SocoRO,  Nkw  Mexico,  } 

February  27,  1862.       ] 

Major  A.  M,  Jackson, 

Assistant  Adjutaiii  General  Army  of  New  Mexico  : 

SIajor  :  On  the  morning  of  the  21st  instant,  I  left  our  camp  oppo- 
site Fort  Craig,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty  men  of  my  coraraand, 
under  Captains  Walker  and  Stafford,  Ijieutenant  Nicholson,  of  Captain 
Orosswood  Spy's  company,  and  Lieutenant  Jctt,  company  B,  2nd 
regiment  mounted  volunteers,  to  reconnoitre  the  road  leading  to  the 
river  near  Valverde.  Upon  reaching  the  river,  I  could  see  the  -water 
with  none  of  the  enemy  intervening.  I  immediately  despatched  a 
note  to  the  General  commanding,  stating  the  road  was  clear  and  the 
water  in  sight,  and  proceeded  leisurely  to  the  river  to  water  our 
horses,  they  having  been  over  twenty-four  hours  without  water. 

When  I  reached  the  woods  I  discovered  a  body  of  cavalry,  which  ] 
supposed  to  be  about  four  companies,  and  immediately  gave  chase, 
they  withdrawing  to  my  left.  I  followed,  until  reaching  the  bank  of 
ft  slough  in  the  bottom,  when  I  found  myself  in  front  of  a  large  for«:c 
of  all  arms.  Immediately  my  men  were  formed  along  the  bank,  when 
the  action  commenced,  and  for  over  one  hour,  by  the  courage  and 
determination  of  the  men,  I  was  enabled  to  maintain  the  position  in 
the  unequal  struggle,  when  I  was  relieved  by  the  4th  regiment  Texas 
mounted  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  ColonelW.  R. 
Scurry. 

For  near  two  hours  our  joint  commands  held  opposition  against  odds 
of  three  to  one,  checking  every  attempt  to  outflank  us,  and  checking 
every  effort  to  drive  us  back.  The  arrival  of  Ted's  battery  of  artil- 
lery was  the  first  reinforcements  we  received,  but  it  was  soon  followed 
by  Major  Lockridge's  battalion  of  the  5ih  regiment  Texas  mounted 
volunteers,  and,  at  about  one  o'clock,  Colonel  Green  reached  the  fieUJ 
and  took  command. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  a  general  charge  was  made  along  our  line,  by 
which  a  battery  of  artillery,  consisting  of  kIx  guns,  was  taken,  and 
their  left  driven  back. 

Following  rapidly  up  our  successes,  the  enemy  were  driven  back  34 
ftil  points,  and  the  field  of  Valverde  was  won. 

It  is  proper  to  state  that  all  the  ofliccra  and  men  of  my  command 
behaved  in   the   most  gallant  manner,  and,  where  all  were  equally 


170 

brave,  it  would  be  invidious  to  particularize.     It  is  sufficieat  to  say 

that  it  was  a  day  on  which  deeds  of  personal  valor  wero  continually 

oocurring. 

,    I  cannot  consent  to  close  this  report  without  bearing  ray  testimony 

to  the  gallant  bearing  uml  personal  valor  of  Colonels  Green,  Scurry 

and  Sutton,  and  ]\Iajors  llagnet  and   Lockridge,  and  others  equally 

courageous. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Yours  most  respectfully, 

C.  S.  PYRON, 
Major  'ind  Texas  Mounted  Rangers. 

R.  J.  0.  Gradf, 

Srr^eant-MajcT  and  Acting  Adjutant. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  POWHATAN  JORDAN. 


In  Camp  near  Socoro,  N.  M., 
February  27,  1SG3. 


Gen.  H.  F.  Siblev.  C.  S.  A. 


General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  first  battalion  of  seventh 
rojriraent  Texas  mounted  volunteers  in  the  battle  of  Valvcrdo,  N.  M., 
on  the  21st  of  February.  The  first  battalion  seventh  regiment,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  S.  Sutton,  with  companies  C  and 
II,  of  the  fifth  regiment,  were  detailed,  as  a  guard  for  the  transpor- 
tation, on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  Before  the  train  had  gotten  fairly 
out  of  camp  we  were  apprised  of  the  fight  having  commenced  at 
Valverdo  crossing  of  the  llio  Grande  bj  hearing  the  sullen  roar  of 
cannon. 

The  train  being  in  danger  of  attack,  we  were  kept  in  position  as 
the  guard,  and  all  tliought,  for  a  time,  the  seventh  would  have  no 
share  in  the  conflict,  but,  in  about  two  hours  after  the  commencement 
of  the  battle,  an  officer  appeared  with  the  order  for  us  to  move  on  to 
the  battle  field. 

Colonel  Sutton  detached,  from  his  command,  companies  A  and  F,  of 
the  seventh,  and  company  C,  of  the  fifth,  to  re-nain,  and  then  gave 
the  order  to  forward,  when  the  remainder  of  his  command,  consi^^ting 
of  companies  B,  F  and  I,  of  the  seventh,  and  F,  of  the  fifth,  moved 
on  to  the  scene  of  action.  We  went  in  a  gallop  and  were  met  on  the 
field  by  Major  Lockridge,  who  ordered  us  to  take  position  on  the  left. 
We  were  here  held  for  some  hour  or  more,  running  the  gauntlet  by 
countermarch  under  a  most  ijalling  and  destructive  fire  from  their 
batteries  While  in  this  position  we  lost  two  men  and  some  tlirce 
horses  killed.  The  battle  having  now  continued  several  hours,  the 
charge  was  ordered,  and  the  seventh  was  most  gallantly  led  in  the 
charge  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sutton,  who  fell  mortally  wounded, 
when  within  twenty  paces  of  the  enemy's  battery. 

The  battle  was  now  soon  ended,  and  victory  was  ours,  though  pur- 
chased by  the  seventh,  with  the  death  of  the  heroic  Sutton. 

The  seventh  done  its  duty  bravely,  nobly,  all  acting  gallantly.  To 
make  mention  of  individuals  would  be  unjust.  They  all  shared 
equally  the  dangers  of  the  field,  and  all  de-icrve  equal  praise. 

To  Captain  Prigin  and  his  company,  II,  of  the  fifth,  who  acted  with 
our  command,  we  must  give  great  credit  for  their  cooluees  and  gal- 


172 

lantry,  and  wish  himself  and   company   to   share  with  us  whatever 
credit  may  fall  to  our  command. 

Accompanyini;  is  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded,  together  with  the 
horses  killed  in  the  battle,  as  furnished  me  by  Captains  of  companies. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

POWHATAN  JORDAN, 
Caplain  comd'g  Isi  Bat.  1th  Rgt  T  M.  F.,  Army  N.  M. 


RErORT  OF  CAPTAIN  T.  T.  TEEL. 


Camp  Lockridge,  N.  M.,      ) 
February  27th,  1862.  j 

Major  A.  M.  Jackson, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General^  C.  S.  A.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  General  commanding  the  army 
of  New  Mexico,  the  operations  of  the  light  battery,  which  I  had  the 
honor  to  command,  in  the  battle  of  Valverde,  N.  M.,  on  the  2 1st  day 
of  February,  1862, 

I  received  orders  on  the  morning  of  the  2 1st,  at  cgmp,  five  miles 
below  the  battle  ground,  and  opposite  Fort  Craig,  to  detach  one 
section  of  the  battery  under  Lieutenant  Bradford,  to  march  in  the  front 
of  the  column  and  head  of  the  train  to  Valverde,  and  place  the  other 
section  and  remain  myself  in  rear  with  the  2nd  regiment  of  Sibley's 
Brigade,  which  orders  were  executed. 

About  an  hour  after  the  head  of  the  column  had  moved,  I  received 
intelligence  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  infantry  and 
artillery,  had  taken  up  the  line  of  march  for  Valverde. 

I  then  placed  the  section  of  the  battery  in  command  of  Lieutenants 
Bennett  and  McGinncss,  and  went  to  the  head  of  the  column ;  before 
reaching  the  head  of  the  train,  I  heard  the  firing  of  the  advance  at 
Valverde. 

I  found  Lieutenant  Bradford,  with  his  section,  at  the  head  of  the 
train,  and  ordered  the  pieces  to  the  place  of  firing  at  a  gallop,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  it  was  placed  in  battery,  about  centre  of  liicutenant 
Colonel  Scurry's  regiment,  and  commenced  firing  upon  the  l)attery  of 
the  enemy  and  his  line,  in  a  few  minutes.  I  lost  one  man  killed  and 
two  wounded,  which  left  but  five  cannoniers  to  man  the  two  pieces.  I 
then  kept  up  the  fire  alternately  with  the  pieces.  Finding  it  impossible 
to  use  the  pieces  with  steady  and  effective  fire,  I  called  upon  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Scurry  for  men  to  fill  up  the  detachments  of  the  guns, 
which  were  immediately  sent  from  l^ieutenant  Riley's  company  of 
howitzers.  After  sustaining  the  action  for  some  time,  the  enemy 
c4ianged  his  front.     I  then  placed  the  section  in  another  position. 

Lieutenants  Bennett  and  McGuinness,  having  by  this  time  reached 
our  line,  1  ordered  them  to  place  their  section  in  battery;  which  they 
did,  and  opened  upon  the  enemy  with  good  effect. 


174 

From  the  great  length  of  the  enemy's  line  and  his  aupcrior  number, 
I  found  it  necessary  to  detach  the  j)ieces.  Lioutenait  Bradford  was 
gent  to  the  extreme  left  flank  with  liis  piece,  to  support  Majors  Lock- 
ridgc  and  Pyron's  commands,  which  had  been  engaged  with  the 
enemy  for  more  than  an  hour.  Lieutenant  McCiuinness,  with  his  gun, 
on  the  right  of  Major  Lockridge's  battalion.  Lieutenant  Bennett  at 
the  centre  of  the  right  flank,  and  the  other  piece  at  the  extreme  right 
flank.  Ivicutenant  liilcy,  with  his  battery  of  howitzers,  with  the  left 
wing,  and  Lieutenant  Wood-s,  with  his  battery  of  howitzers,  on  the  right 
wing.  The  dilferent  pieces  and  howitzers,  changed  positions,  however, 
during  the  action,  as  circumstances  required,  and  were  used  with  effect, 
whenever  the  enemy  presented  a  front  or  his  battery  in  view. 

Having  received  orders  that  our  troops  were  about  to  charge  the 
enemy,  1  placed  the  guns  in  battery  upon  the  extreme  right  flank  as 
a  reserve,  in  case  the  charge  was  unsuccessful,  so  that  I  could  open 
the  line  of  the  enemy  with  raking  shots,  or  engage  his  battery  until 
our  troops  would  prerent  my  firing,  by  their  closing  with  the  enemy. 
The  charge  was  made  by  our  line,  and  in  eight  minutes  his  liattery 
captured  and  his  troops  completely  routed.  Lieutenant  Ochiltree, 
aid-de-camp,  rode  back  and  ordered  the  guns  forward,  which  order 
ivas  executed,  and  soon  the  enemy's  guns,  as  well  as  ours,  were 
opened  oii  his  retreating  forces.  Firing  was  kept  up  from  our  guns, 
until  the  enemy's  rear  was  out  of  range  of  them,  I  then  ordered  the 
firing  to  cease.* 

I  lost  four  men  killed,  including  two  which  died  the  day  after  the 
battle,  and  six  wounded.  Twenty-five  horses  killed  and  wounded,  one 
gun  partially  disabled  and  eight  sets  of  harness  rendered  unservica- 
ble.  1  refer,  with  great  pleasure,  to  the  gallant  conduct  of  Lieutenants 
Bennett,  McGuiuness  and  Bradford,  of  my  company,  as  well  as  Lieu- 
tenants lliley.  Woods,  i-agnet  and  Falcrod,  of  the  batteries  of  how- 
itzers, also  of  the  non-commissioned  ofl^cers  and  privates  of  all  the 
batteries. 

I  cannot  close  my  report  without  bearing  testimony  to  the  bravery 
and  coolness  of  the  officers,  under  whom  I  acted  during  this  sanguin- 
ary and  well  contested  battle.  Colonel  (Jreen,  and  especially  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Scurry,  who  so  promptly  manned  my  guns  from  hia 
regiment,  (the  1st,)  and  who  was  present  with  my  guns,  under  the 
heavy  fire  in  the  morning,  and  whose  voice  was  heard  above  the  din 
of  ijattlo  and  smoke,  and  flame,  and  death,  encouraging  the  men  to 
tttand  by  their  posts.  Also  the  lamented  Lockridge  ;  ^lajor  Jackson, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General;  Major  Brownrig;;,  Brigade  Commissary; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc]Siel,  and  Lieutenant  Ochiltree,  aid-de-camp, 
who  were  rallying  the  men  to  the  charge  and  were  in  the  line 
leading  on  the  troops ;  also  Captain  Dwyer  of  the  staff.  Colonel 
Roberts  and  ^L^jor  Ragent.  Also  the  deep  obligations  .1  am  under 
to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scurry  and  Captain  Scarborough  and  his  com- 
pany, who  hauled  out  a  disabled  piece  by  hand  under  a  hot  fire;  to 
Captain,  Campbell,  McPhail,  and  Kelloe,  and  their  respective  com- 
panies, for  promptness  and  willingness  with  which  they  replaced  the 


175 

killed  and  wounded  at  my  guns ;  many  of  their  comrades  having  been 
killed  and  wounded,  while  aiding  in  manning  the  bittery  during  the 
action. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

T.  T.  TEFJ,, 
Captain  Artillery. 


llEPORT 


OF    TH!i: 


EVACUATION  OF  COLUMBUS. 


L.  POLK,  MAJOR  GENERAL,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters,  1st.  Grand  Division, 
Army  of  the  Mississippi, 

HuMBOLT,  March  18th,  1862.. 

To  Col.  Thomas  Jordan,  A,  A.  G., 

Jackson,  Tenn. 

On  the  (lay  of  the  evacuation  of  Columbus,  I  telegraphed  Gen'I 
Beauregard.  It  was  accomplished,  and  I  avail  myself  of  the  first  leisure 
1  have  had  to  submit  my  official  report.  Upon  receipt  of  instructions 
from  the  War  Department,  through  Gen.  Beauregard,  *'  to  evacuate 
Columbus,  and  select  a  defensive  position  below,"  I  proceeded  to 
arrange  and  organize  a  plan  for  the  accomplishment  of  that  object, 
and  to  execute  it  with  as  much  celerity  as  the  safety  of  my  command 
and  the  security  of  tlie  public  property  at  risk,  would  allow.  The 
position  below  offering  most  advantages  for  defensive  works,  and 
which  it  was  agreed  to  adopt,  was  that  embracing  Island  No.  10,  the 
main  land  in  Madrid  Bend,  on  the  Tennessee  shore,  and  New  Madrid* 
At  the  two  latter  places  works  had  been  thrown  up  during  the  last  autumti 
and  measures  were  already  in  progress  for  increasing  their  strength,, 
by  the  construction  of  heavy  batteries.  On  the  23th  of  February,  L 
issued  orders  for  the  removal  of  the  sick,  as  a  preparatory  step.  Orders. 
vcro  also  issued  by  me  for  the  removal  of  the  commissary  and  quar- 
termaster's stores,  then  the  ordnance  stores  of  every  description,  and 
12 


173 

then  the  heavy  guns.     These  orders  were  executed  promptly  and  ir5 
the  most  satisfactory  manner. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  McCown  was  assigned  the  comTQand  of  the  River 
defences,  at  the  position  chosen.  His  division  was  ordered  thither  on 
the  27th,  A  sufficient  number  of  guns  having  been  placed  in  battery 
to  make  that  position  secure  all  the  rest  of  the  troops,  excepting  the 
cavalry,  moved  on  the  1st,  Gen.  Stuart's  brigade  going  by  steamer 
to  New  Madrid,  the  remniiivder  marching  by  land  to  Union  City  under 
Gen.  Cheatham.  I  remained  with  my  staff  and  the  cavalry  to  super- 
vise the  completion  of  the  work,  until  the  following  day.  The  last 
shipment  of  articles  of  special  value  being  made,  the  c{uarters  and 
.<^tlier  buildings  erected  by  our  troops  were  consigned  to  the  flames  by 
the  cavalry,  and  at  3  P.  M,,  myself  and  staff  followed  our  retiring 
.eoluma. 

The  enemy's  cavalry — the  first  of  his  forces  to  arrive  after  the' 
.evacuation — reached  Columbus  in  the  afternoon  next  day,  24  hours 
•after  the  last  of  our  troops  had  left.  In  five  days  we  moved  the  accu- 
mulations of  six  months,  taking  '  with  us  all  our  Commissary  and 
.quartermaster's  stores — an  amount  suflScient  to-  supply  my  whole  com- 
,mand  for  eight  months;  all  our  powder  and  other  ammunition  r.nd  ord- 
. nance  stores,  excepting  a  few  shot  and  gun  carriages,  and  every  heavy 
gun  in  the  fort.  Two  32  pounders  in  a  remote  out-work,  were  the 
only  valuable  guns  left,  and  these  with  three  or  four  small  and  indif- 
ferent carronades  similarly  situated,  were  spiked  and  rendered  useless. 

The  whole  number  of  pieces  of  artillery  composing  our  armament, 
was  one  hundred  and  forty. 

Kespectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

L,  POLK, 
Major  General  Commanding, 


llEPOPtTS 


OF  THE 


A  TILES   OF   SIIILOH. 


G.  T,   BEAUREGARD,    GENERAL,    COMMANDING 


IIeadquartkrs  Army  op  the  Missi.=!Si??i,  ) 
Corinth,  Miss.,  April  11th,  1362.     \ 

To  General  S.  CibPER, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  Riclimond  : 

General: — On  the  2d  ultimo,  having  ascertained  condu'.lvelj, 
from  the  movements  of  the  enemy  on  the  Tennessee  road,  and  from 
reliable  sources  of  information,  that  his  aim  was  to  cut  off  my  com- 
munications in  West  Tennessee,  "with  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
States,  by  operating  from  the  Tennessee  river,  betwoeii  Crump's 
Landing  acd  Eastport,  as  a  base,  I  determined  to  foil  hi3  designs  by 
concentrating  all  my  available  forces  at  and  around  Corinth. 

Meanwhile,having  called  on  the  Governors  of  the  State3  of  Tennessee, 
Mississippi,  Alabama  and  Louisiana,  to  furnish  additional  tmops. 
Some  of  them,  chiefly  regiments  from  Louisiana,  soon  rcachc?d  this 
vicinity,  and  with  two  divisions  of  General  Polk's  command,  from  Co- 
lumbus, and  a  fine  corps  of  troops  from  Mobile  and  Pensaoola,  under 
Major  General  Bragg,  constituted  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi.  At 
the  same  time.  General  Johnston  being  at  Murfrecsboro',  on  the  march 
to  form  a  junction  of  his  forces  with  mine,  was  called  oa  to   s^nd  at 


ISO 

least  a  Lrigado  by  railroad,  so  that  we  might   fall  on   and  crust  tie' 
enemy,  should  he  attempt  an  advance  from  under  his  gunboats. 

The  call  on  General  Johnston  was  promptly  complied  with.  His  en- 
l:re  force  was  also  hastenened  in  this  direction,  and  by  the  1st  of 
April  our  united  forces  were  concentrated  along  the  Mobile  and  Ohic 
Railroad,  from  l^thel  to  Corinth,  and  on  the  Memphis  and  Charles- 
ton Railroad,  from  Corinth  to  Ireka. 

It  was  then  determined  to  assume  the  offensive  and  strike  a  suddea 
blow  at  the  enemy,  in  position  under  General  Grant,  on  the  West 
bank  of  the  Tennessee  River,  at  Pittsburg,  and  in  the  direction  of 
Savannah, before  he  was  reinforced  by  the  army  under  Gen.  Buell,  (then 
knc  wn  to  be  advancing  for  that  purpose)  by  making  rapid  marches  from 
Nashville  via  Columbia.  About  the  same  time  General  Johnston  was  ad- 
rised  that  such  an  operation  conformed  to  the  expectations  of  the 
President. 

By  a  rapid  and  vigorous  attack  on  General  Grant,  it  was  expected 
he  would  be  beaten  back  into  his  transports,  and  the  river  so  captured 
in  time  to  enable  us  to  profit  by  the  victory,  and  remove  to  the  rear 
all  the  stores  and  munitions  that  would  fall  into  our  hands  in  such  an 
event.  Iti^vas  never  contemplated,  ho-wever,  to  retain  the  position 
t4ius  gained  and  abandon  Corinth,  the  strategic  point  of  the  cam- 
paign. 

Want  of  general  oflScers,  needful  for  the  proper  organi^Mition  of  di- 
visions and  brigades  of  an  army  brought  thus  suddenly  together, 
and  other  difficulties  in  the  way  of  an  effective  organization,  delayed 
the  movements  until  the  night  of  the  2d  instant,  when  it  was  heard 
from  a  reliable  quarter,  that  the  junction  of  the  enemy's  armies  was 
near  at  hand.  It  was  then  at  a  very  late  hour  determined  that  the 
attack  should  be  attempted  at  once,  incomplete  and  imperfect  as  were 
our  preparations  for  such  a  grave  and  momentous  adventure.  Ac- 
cordingly that  night  at  one  o'clock, A.  ^I.,  the  preliminary  orders  to- 
the  commanders  of  the  corps  wore  issued  for  the  movement. 

On  the  following  morning  the  detailed  orders  of  movement,  a  copy 
of  which  is  herewith  marked  "  A,"  were  issued,  and  the  movement, 
::fter  some  delay,  commenced,  the  troops  being  in  admirable  spirits. 
It  was  expected  we  should  be  able  to  reach  the  enemy's  lines  in  time 
to  attack  him  on  the  5th  instant.  The  men,  however,  for  the  most 
part  were  unused  to  marching,  the  roads  narrow,  and  traversing  a 
densely  wooded  country,  became  almost  impassable  after  a  severe  rain 
:;torm  on  the  4th,  which  drenched  the  troops  in  bivouac,  hence  our 
forces  did  not  reach  the  intersection  of  the  ro;>d  from  Pittsburg  and 
Hamburg,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  enemy,  until  late  Saturday 
afternoon. 

It  was  then  decided  that  the  attack  should  be  made  on  the  next 
morning  at  thq  earliest  hour  practicable,  in  accordance  with  the  or- 
ders of  the  movement. 

That  is,  in  three  lines  of  battle,  the  first  and  second  extending, 
from  Owl  Creek  on  the  left,  to  Lick  Creek  on  the  right,  a  distance  of 
about  three  miles,  supported  by  the  third  and  the  reserve.  The  first 
line,  under  Major  General  Hardee,  was  constituted  of  his  corps,  aug- 


181 

caented  on  his  riglit  by  Gladrlen's  Brigade,  of  Major  General  Bragg's 
corps,  deployed  in  line  of  battle,  with  their  respective  artillery  fol- 
lowing immediately  by  the  main  road  to  Pittsburg,  and  the  cavalry  in 
rear,  on  the  wings.  The  second  line,  composed  of  the  other  troops  of 
Bragg's  corps,  followed  the  first  at  the  distance  of  five  hundred  yards, 
in  the  same  order  as  the  first.  The  army  corps  under  General  Polk 
followed  the  second  line  at  the  distance  of  about  eight  hundred  yardr;, 
in  lines  of  brigades,  deployed  with  their  batteries  in  rear  of  each  bri- 
gade, moving  by  the  Pittsburg  road,  the  left  wing  supported  by  cav- 
alry. The  reserve,  under  Brigadier  General  Breckenridgc,  following 
closely  the  third  line,  in  the  same  order,  its  right  wing  supported  by 
cavalry. 

These  two  corps  constituted  the  reserve,  and  were  to  support  tho 
front  lines  of  battle,  by  being  deployed,  when  required,  on  the  right 
and  left  of  the  Pittsburg  road,  or  otherwise  act  according  to  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  battle. 

At  5  A.  M.,  on  the  6th  instant,  a  rcconnoitering  party  of  the  ene- • 
my  having  become  engaged  with  the  advanced  pickets,  the  commander 
of  the  forces  gave  orders  to  besrin  the  movement  and  attack  as  deter- 
mined  upon,  except  that  Fabric's  Brigade  of  Breckenridge's  Division, 
■and  detached  to  support  the  left  of  Bragg's  corps  and  line  of  battle 
when  menaced  by  the  enemy,  and  the  other  two  brigades  were  directed 
to  advance  by  the  road  to  Hamburg,  to  support  Bragg's  right,  and 
at  the  same  time,  Maney's  regiment  of  Polk's  corps  was  advanced  by 
the  same  road  to  reinforce  the  regiment  of  cavalry  and  battery  of  four 
pieces,  already  thrown  forward  to  watch  and  guard  Greer's,  Tanner's, 
and  Borland's  fords  on  Lick  creek. 

Thirty  minutes  after  .5  o'clock,  A.  M.,  our  lines  and  columns  were 
in  motion,  all  animated  evidently  by  a  promising  spirit.  The  first  line 
was  engaged  at  once,  but  advanced  steadily,  following  in  due  order, 
with  equal  resolution  and  steadiness,  by  the  other  lines,  which  were 
brought  up  successively  into  action,  with  rare  skill,  judgment  and  gal- 
lantry, by  the  several  comman(Jers,  as  the  enemy  made  a  stand  with 
his  masses  rallied  for  the  struggle  for  his  encampment.  Like  an  alpine 
nvalanch  our  troops  moved  forward,  despite  the  determined  resistance 
of  the  enemy,  until  after  G  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Avhen  we  were  in  possession 
of  all  his  encampments  between  Owl  and  Lick  creek  but  one,  nearly  all 
his  field  artillery,  about  thirty  flags,  colors  and  standards,  over  3,1)05) 
prisoners,  including  a  division  communder,  (General  Prentiss,)  and 
eevcral  brigade  commanders,  thousands  of  small  arms,  an  iramenac 
supply  of  subsistence,  forage  and  munitions  of  war. 

All  the  substantial  fruits  of  a  complete  victory.  Such,  indeed,  as 
rarely  have  followed  the  most  8ucccs.«ful  battles,  for  never  was  an 
army  so  well  provided  as  that  of  tlie  enemy. 

The  remnant  of  his  army  had  been  driven  in  utter  disorder  to  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  under  the  shelter  of  the  heavy  guns 
of  his  iron-clad  gun-boats,  and  wc  remained  undisputed  masters  of 
his  well  selected  position,  and  admirably  provisioned  cantonments,  after 
over  12  hours  of  obstinate  conflict  with  his  forces,  who  had  been  beaten 
from  them  and  the  contiguous  covert,  but  only  by  a  sustained  onset  of 
all  the  men  we  could  bring  together  into  action. 


IS? 

Our  los?  was  heavy,  as  T\ill  appear  froAi  tlie  accompanying  returns 
marked  "  B." 

Our  coinm.-vrnkr-in-chlef,  General  A.  S.  Johnston,  fell  mortally 
wounded,  and  died  on  the  field  at  2.30,  P.  M.,  after  having  shown 
the  highest  qualities  of  a  commander,  and  a  personal  intrepidity  that 
inspired  all  around  him,  and  gave  resistless  impulses  to  his  column* 
at  critlc-.il  moments. 

The  chief  command  tlicn  devolvetl  on  me,  though  at  the  time  I  was 
greatly  pi'ostrated,  and  suflforing  from  the  prolonged  sickness  with 
which  1  had  heen  afflicted  since  early  in  February. 

The  responsibility  was  one,  which  in  my  physical  condition,  I  would 
have  gladl}'  avoided,  though  cast  upon  me  when  our  forces  were  suc- 
cessfully pushing  the  eneniy  back  upon  the  Tennessee  river,  and, 
though  supported  on  the  immediate  field  by  such  corps  commanders  as 
Major  Generals  Polk,  Bragg  and  Hardee,  and  Brigadier  General  Breck- 
inridge commanding  the  reserve. 

It  was  after  6  o'clock,  P.  M.,  as  before  said,  when  the  enemy'c  last 
position  was  carried,  and  his  forces  finally  broke  and  sought  refuge 
behind  a  commanding  eminence,  covering  the  Pittsburg  landing,  not 
more  than  half  a  mile  distant,  and  under  the  guns  of  their  gun-boats,, 
which  opened  on  our  eager  columns  a  fierce  and  annoying  fire,  with 
shot  and  shell  of  the  heaviest  description.  Darkness  was  close  at  hand  ; 
officers  and  men  were  exhausted  by  a  combat  of  over  twelve  hours 
without  food,  and  jaded  by  the  march  of  the  preceding  day,  through 
mud  and  water.  It  was,  therefore,  impossible  to  collect  the  rich  and 
opportune  stores  of  war,  scattered  broadcast  in  the  field  before  us,. 
left  in  our  possession,  and  impracticable  to  make  any  effective  disposi- 
tions for  tlieir  removal  to  the  rear. 

I  accordingly  established  my  headquarters  at  the  church  of  Shiloh, 
in  the  enemy's  encampments,  with  Major  General  Bragg,  and  directed 
our  troops  to  sleep  on  their  arms,  in  such  positions  in  advance  and 
rear  as  corps  commanders  should  determine,  hoping  from  ne^YS  received 
b}-  :i  special  dispatch,  that  delays  had  been  encountered  by  General 
Buell,  in  his  march  froui  Columbia,  and  that  his  main  force,  therefore, 
could  not  reach  the  field  of  battle  in  time  to  save  General  Grant's 
scattered  fugitive  forces  from  capture  or  destruction  on  the  following 
day. 

Durir.g  the  niglit,  tlio  raiu  fell  in  torrents,  adding  to  the  discomforts 
and  harrassing  condition  of  our  men  ;  t'.ie  enemy,  moreover,  had 
broken  their  rest  by  a  discharge,  at  measured  intervals,  of  heavy  shells, 
thrown  from  the  gun-boats,  therefore,  on  the  following  morning,  the 
troops  under  my  command  were  not  in  condition  to  cope  with  an  equal 
force  of  fresh  troop i,  armed  and  equippod  like  our  adversary,  in  the 
immediate  possession  of  his  depots,  and  sheltereil  by  such  an  auxiliary 
aa  the  enemy's  gun-boats. 

About  G  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  April,  however,  a 
Jiot  fire  of  musketry  and  aitillery  opened  from  the  enemy's  quarter  on 
our  advanced  line,  assured  us  of  the  junction  of  his  forces,  and 
soon  the  battle  raged  with  a  fury  which  satisfied  me,  I  was  attacked  by  a. 
largely   superior  force.     But   from   the   outset  our  troops,   notwith- 


183 

standing  our  fatigue  and  losses  from  the  battle  of  the  day  before » 
exhibited  the  Kost  cheering  veteran-like  steadiness  On  the  right  and 
center,  the  enemy  was  repulsed  in  every  attempt  he  made  with  his 
heavy  columns  in  that  quarter  of  the  iiel.l.  On  the  left,  however,  and 
nearest  to  the  points  of  arrival  of  his  reinforcements,  he  drove  forward 
line  after  line  of  his  fresh  troops,  which  were  met  by  a  courage  and 
resolution,  of  which  our  country  may  be  proudly  hopeful.  Again 
and  again  our  troops  were  brought  to  the  charge,  invariably  to  win 
the  position  already  in  issue  ;  invariably  to  drive  buck  this  foe.  But 
hour  by  hour,  thus  opposed  to  an  enemy  constantly  reinforced,  our 
ranks  were  perceptibly  tliinned  under  the  increasing  withering  fire 
of  the  enemy,  and  at  12,  meredian,  18  hours  of  hard  fighting  had 
sensibly  exhausted  a  large  number ;  my  last  reserves  had  necessarily 
been  disposed  of,  and  the  enemy  was  evidently  receiving  fresh  rein-, 
forcements  after  each  repulse.  Accordingly  after  1  P.  M.,  I  determined 
to  withdraw  from  so  unequal  a  conflict,  securing  such  of  the  results  of 
the  victory  of  the  day  before  as  was  then  practicable. 

Officers  of  my  staff  were  immediately  dispatched  with  the  necessary 
orders  to  make  the  best  disposition,  for  a  deliberate,  orderly,  with- 
drawal, from  the  field,  and  to  collect,  and  post,  a  reserve  to  meet  the 
enemy,  should  he  attempt  to  push  after  us.  In  this  connection,  I  will 
particularly  mention  my  Adjutant  General,  Col.  Jordan,  who  was  of 
much  assistance  to  me  on  this  occasion,  as  he  had  already  been  on  the 
field  of  battle,  on  that  and  the  preceding  day. 

About  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  lines  in  advance,  which  had  repulsed 
the  enemy  in  their  last  fierce  assault  on  our  left  and  center,  received 
the  orders  to  retire.  This  was  done  with  uncommon  steadiness  and  the 
enemy  made  no  attempt  to  follow. 

The  lines  of  troops  established  to  cover  this  movement,  had  been 
disposed  on  a  favorable  ridge,  commanding  the  ground  of  Sliiloh 
Church;  from  this  position  our  artillery  played  upon  the  woods  be- 
yond for  a  while,  but  upon  no  visible  enemy,  and  without  a  reply. 
Soon  satisfied  that  no  serious  pursuit  was,  or  Avould  be  attempted,  this 
last  line  Avas  withdrawn,  and  never  did  troops  leave  battle  field  in  bet- 
ter order;  even  the  stragglers  fell  into  the  ranks, and  marched  off  with 
those  Avho  had  stood  more  steadily  to  their  colors.  A  second  strong 
position  was  taken  up  about  a  mile  in  rear,  where  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  was  waited  for  more  than  one  hour,  but  no  effort  to  follow  was 
made,  and  only  a  small  detachment  of  horsemen  could  be  seen  at  a 
distance  from  this  last  position  merely  observing  our  movements. 

Arranging  through  my  staff  officers  for  the  completion  of  the  move- 
ments thus  begun,  Brigadier  General  Breckinridge  was  left  with  hia 
command  as  a  rear  guard,  to  hold  the  ground  we  had  occupied  the- 
night  preceding  the  first  battle,  just  in  front  of  the  intersection  of  the- 
l'ittsl)urg  and  Hamburg  roads,  about  i  miles  from  the  former  place-^ 
while  the  rest  of  the  army  passed  in  the  rear,  in  excellent  order. 

On  the  following  day,  Gen.  Breckinridge  fell  1)uck  about  three  mil^ 
to  Meckcy's,  which  position  we  continue  to  hold,  with  our  cavalry 
thrown  considerably  forwanl,  in  immediate  proximity  to  the  battle 
field. 


184 

Unfortunately,  towards  night  on  the  7th  instant,  it  began  to  rain 
heavily  ;  this  continued  throughout  the  night.  The  roads  became  almost 
impassable,  in  many '  places,  and  much  hardship  and  suffering  here 
ensued,  before  all  the  regiments  reached  their  encampments. 

But,  despite  the  heavy  losses  and  casualties  of  the  two  eventful 
days  of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  this  army  is  more  confident  of  ulti- 
mate success  than  before  its  encounter  with  the  enemy. 

To  Major  Generals  Polk,  Bragg  and  Ilardec,  commanding  corps, 
and  to  Brigadier  General  Breckinridge,  commanding  the  reserve,  the 
country  is  greatly  indebted  for  the  zeal,  intelligence,  and  energy,  with 
which  all  orders  were  executed;  for  the  foresight  and  military  ability 
they  displayed,  in  the  absence  of  instruction  in  the  many  exigencies 
of  the  battle,  on  a  field  so  densely  wooded  and  broken,  and  for  their 
fearless  deportment  as  they  repeatedly  led  their  commands  personally 
to  the  onset  upon  their  powerful  adversary.  It  was  under  these  cir- 
cumstances that  Gen.  Bragg  had  two  horses  shot  under  him,  that  Ma- 
jor General  Hardee  was  slightly  wounded,  his  coat  cut  with  balls,  and 
his  horse  disabled,  and  that  Major  Gen.  Breckinridge  was  twice  struck 
with  spent  balls. 

For  the  services. of  their  gallant  subordinate  commanders,  and  their 
cfficers  under  them,  as  well  as  for  the  details  of  the  battle  field,  1  must 
refer  to  the  reports  of  corps  divisions,  and  Brigade  commanders,  which 
shall  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  received. 

To  give  more  in  detail,  the  operations  of  the  two  battles  resulting 
from  the  movement  on  Pittsburg,  than  now  attempted,  must  liave  de- 
layed this  report  for  weeks,  and  interfered  with  the  important  duties 
of  my  position,  but  I  may  be  permitted  to  say,  that,  not  only  did  the 
obstinate  conflict  of  Sunday  le&ve  the  Confederates  masters  of  the 
battle  field  and  our  adversaries  beaten,  but  we  left  that  field  on  the 
next  day,  only  after  eight  hours  successive  battle  with  a  superior 
army  of  fresh  troops,  whom  we  had  repulsed  in  every  attack  upon  our 
lines,  so  repulsed  and  crippled  indeed,  as  to  leave  it  unable  to  take  the 
field  for  the  campaign  for  which  it  was  collected  and  equipped  at  such 
enormous  expense,  and  with  such  profusion  of  all  the  appliances  of 
war.  These  successful  results  were  not  achieved,  however,  as  before 
said,  without  severe  loss  ;  a  loss  not  to  be  measured  by  the  number  of 
the  slain  or  wounded,  but  by  the  high  social  and  personal  position  of 
fio  large  a  number  of  those  who  were  killed  or  disabled,  including  the 
commander  of  the  forces,  whose  high  qualities  will  be  greatly  missed 
in  the  momentous  campaign  impending. 

I  deeply  regret  to  record,  also,  the  death  of  tlie  lion,  George  John- 
son, Provisional  Governor  of  Kentucky,  who  went  into  action  with  the 
Kentucky  troops,  and  continually  inspired  them  by  his  words  and 
example.  Having  his  horse  shot  under  him  Sunday,  he  entered  the 
ranks  of  a  Kentucky  regiment  on  Monday,  and  fell  mortally  wounded 
towards  the  close  of  the  day.  Not  his  State  alone,  but  the  whole 
Confederacy  will  mourn  the  death  of  this  brave,  upright  and  noble 
man. 

Another  gallant  and  able  soldier  and  Captain  was  lost  to  the  scr- 
rice  of  the  country,  when   Brigadier  General   Gladden,  commanding 


185 

first  brigade  Withers'  division  second  army  corps,  died  from  a  serve 
wound,  received  on  the  Gth  instant,  after  having  been  conspicuous  to 
his  whole  command  and  army  for  courage  and  capacity. 

Major  General  Cheatham,  commanding  first  division  first  corps,  was 
slighily  Avounded,  and  had  three  horses  shot  under  him. 

Brigadier  General  Clark,  commanding  second  division  of  the  first 
corps,  received  a  severe  wound,  also,  on  the  first  day,  which  will 
deprive  the  army  of  his  valuable  services  for  some  time. 

Brigadier  General  Hindman,  engaged  in  the  onset  of  the  battle, 
was  conspicuous  for  a  cool  couarge  in  finding  his  men,  even  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fray,  until  his  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  he  was 
so  severely  injured  by  the  fall,  that  the  army  was  deprived  the  follow- 
ing day  of  his  chivalric  example. 

Brigadier  Generals  B.  R  Johnston  and  Bowen,  most  meritorious 
officers,  Avcre  also  severely  wounded  in  the  first  combat,  but  it  is 
hoped  will  soon  be  able  to  return  to  duty  with  their  brigades. 

Tc  mention  the  many  field  officers  who  died  or  were  wounded,  while 
gallantly  leading  their  commands  into  action,  and  the  many  instances 
of  brilliant  individual  courge,  displayed  by  officers  and  men  in  the 
twenty  hours  of  battle,  is  impossible  at  this  time;  but  their  names  will 
be  made  known  to  their  countrymen. 

The  immediate  staff  of  the  lamented  Commander-in-Chief,  who 
accompanied  him  to  the  field,  rendered  efficient  service,  and  either  by 
his  side,  or  in  carrying  his  orders,  shared  his  exposure  to  the  casual- 
ties of  a  well  contested  battle  field.  I  beg  to  commend  their  names 
to  the  notice  of  the  War  Department,  namely ;  of  Captains  II.  P. 
Brewster  and  A.  Wickliffe,  of  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector  Gcncrars 
Department;  Captain  Tfieo,  O'llara,  Acting  Inspector  General; 
Lieutenant  General  Baylor,  and  Thomas  M.  Jack,  Aides-de-Camp  ; 
volunteer  Aides-de-Carap,  Colonel  Wm.  Preston,  Major  D.  M.  Ilay- 
den,  E.  W.  Munford  and  Calhoun  Bcnham  ;  Mnjor  Albert  J.  Smith 
and  Captain  Quartermaster's  Department 

To  these  gentlemen  was  assigned  the  last  sad  dut}'  of  accompanying 
the  remains  of  their  lamented  chief  from  the  field,  except  Captains 
Brewster  and  Wickliffe,  who  remained  and  rendered  valuable  services 
as  staff  officers,  on  the  7th  of  April. 

General  Isham  G.  Harris,  of  Tenncsse,  went  into  the  field  with 
General  Johnston;  was  by  his  side  when  he  was  shot,  aided  him  from 
his  horse,  and  received  him  in  his  arras  when  he  died.  Subsequently 
the  Governor  joined  my  staff,  and  remained  with  me  throughout  the 
next  day,  except  when  carrying  orders,  or  employed  in  encouraging 
the  tr jops  of  his  own  State,  to  whom  he  gave  a  conspicuous  example 
of  coolness,  zeal  and  intrepidity. 

I  am  also  under  many  obligations  to  my  own  general,  personal  and 
volunteer  staff,  many  of  whom  have  been  so  long  associated  with  me.  I 
append  a  list  of  those  present  on  the  field  on  both  days,  and  whose 
duties  carried  them  constant!)'  under  fire,  namely  :  Colonel  Tho. 
Jordon,  Captain  Clifton  II.  Smith  and  Lieutenant  John  M.  Otey, 
Adjutant  General's  Department;  Major  George  W.  Brent,  Acting 
Inspector  General ;  Colonel  R.   B.  Lee,   Chief  of  Subsistence,  whose 


18G 

horse  wns  wounded;  Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  W.  Ferguson  and  Lieu- 
tenant A.  R.  Chcsolm,  Aides-de-Carap ;  volunteer  Aides-de-Camp ; 
Colonel  Jacob  Thompson,  Maj-r  Numa  Augnstin,  Major  IL  E.  Pey- 
ton, Captain  Albert  Ferry,  B.B.  Waddell.  Captain  W.  W.  Tortcr,  of 
Major  General  Crittenden's  staff,  also  reported  for  duty,  and  shared 
the  duties  of  my  volunteer  staff  on  Monday, 

Brigadier  General  Fruileau,  of  Louisiana  volunteers,  also,  for  part 
of  the  first  conflict,  was  with  me  as  volunteer  aid. 

Captain  E.  H.  Cummins,  signal  officer,  also  Avaa  actively  employed 
a3  a  staff  officer  both  days.  Nor  must  I  fail  to  mention  that  private 
W.  E.  Goolsby,  11th  regiment  Virginia  volunteers,  orderly  to  my 
hea^hiuarters  since  last  June,  repeatedly  employed  to  carry  my  verbal 
orders  to  the  field,  discharged  the  duty  with  great  zeal  and  intelli- 
gence. 

Other  members  of  my  staff  were  necessarily  absent  from  the  im- 
mediate field  of  battle,  entrusted  with  respective  duties  at  their  head- 
quarters, viz:  Major  Eugene  E.  McLean,  Chief  Quartermaster; 
Captain  E.  DesUude,  Quartermaster's  department.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Furguson,  A.  D.  C,  early  on  jMonday,  was  assigned  to  command  and 
direct  the  movem-ents  of  a  bri^rade  of  the  second  corps. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Gilmer,  Chief  Engineer,  after  having  performed 
the  important  and  varied  duties  of  his  place,  with  distinction  to  him- 
self and  material  benefit  to  the  country,  was  wounded  late  on  ^londay. 
I  trust,  however,  I  shall  not  long  be  deprived  of  his  essential  services. 

Captain  Lockett,  Engineer  Corps,  Chief  Assistant  to  Colonel  Gil- 
mer, after  having  been  employed  in  the  duties  of  his  crops  on  Sunday, 
was  placed  by  me  on  Monday,  in  commandof  a  battalion  without  field 
officers.  (Captain  Frcmeaux,  Provisional  Flngineer,  and  Lieutenants 
Steel  and  Helm,  also  rendered  material  and  even  dangerous  service  in 
the  line  of  their  duty.  Major  General  (now  General)  Braxton  Bragg, 
in  addition  to  his  duties  as  chief  of  staff,  as  has  been  before  stated, 
commanded  his  corps,  much  the  largest  in  the  field,  on  both  days,  with 
signal  capacity  and  soldiership. 

Surgeon  Foard,  Medical  Director,  Surgeon  R.  L.  Burdle,  and  Sur- 
geon D.  W.  Tandal,  Medical  Director  of  the  Western  Department, 
with  General  Johnston,  were  present  in  the  discharge  of  their  arduous 
and  high  duties,  which  they  performed  with  honor  to  their  profes- 
sion. Captain  Thomas  Saunders,  Messrs  Scales  and  Medcalf,  and  Mr. 
TuUy  of  New  Orleans,  were  of  material  aid  on  both  days,  ready  to 
give  news  of  the  enemy's  positions  and  movements,  regardless  of 
exposure. 

While  thus  partially  making  mention  of  some  of  those  who  rendered 
brilliant,  gallant,  or  meritorious  service  to  the  field,  I  have  aimed 
merely  to  notice  those  whose  position  would  most  probably  exclude 
their  services  from  the  reports  of  corps,  or  subordinate  commanders. 

From  this  agreeable  duty,  I  turn  to  one  in  the  highest  degree  un- 
pleasant ;  one  due,  however,  to  the  brave  men  under  me.  As  a  contrast, 
to  the  behavior  of.  most  of  the  army  who  fought  so  heroically,  I  allude 
to  the  fact,  that  some  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  men, 
abandoned  their  colors  on  the  first  day,  to  pillage  the  captured  en- 


187 

campments,  others  retired  shamefully  from  the  field  on  both  days, 
while  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  the  roar  and  rattle  of  musketry  told 
them  that  their  brothers  were  being  slaughtered  by  the  fresh  legions 
of  the  enemy,  I  have  ordered  the  names  of  the  most  conspicuous  of 
these  cowards  and  laggards  to  be  published  in  orders. 

It  remains  to  state  that  our  loss  in  the  two  days  in  killed  outright, 
was  1,728,  wounded  8,012,  missing  957;  making  an  aggregate  of 
casualities  10,699,  This  sad  list  tells  in  simple  language  of  the  stout 
fight  made  by  our  countrymen,  in  front  of  the  rude  log  chapel  at 
Shiloh;  especially  when  it  is  known  that  on  Monday,  from  exhaus- 
tion and  otber  causes,  not  twenty  thousand  men  on  our  side  could  bo 
brought  into  action. 

Of  the  losses  of  the  enemy,  I  have  no  exact  .knowledge.  Their  news- 
paper report  is  very  heavy.  Unquestionably  it  was  greater,  even  in 
proportion,  than  our  own  on  both  days,  for  it  was  apparent  to  all,  that 
their  dead  left  on  the  field  outnumbered  ours  two  to  one.  Their 
casualties,  therefore,  cannot  have  fallen  many  short  of  20,000  in 
killed,  wounded,  prisoners,  and  missing, 

Tlirough  information  derived  from  many  sources,  including  the 
newspapers  of  the  enemy,  we  engaged  on  Sunday,  the  divisions  of 
General  Prentiss,  Sherman,  Ilurlbert,  McClernard  and  Smith,  of 
9,000  men  each,  or  at  least  45,000  men.  This  force  was  reinforced 
Sunday  night  by  the  divisions  of  Generals  Nelson,  McCook,  Crtten- 
den  and  Thomas,  of  Major  General  Buell's  army,  some  25,000  strong, 
including  all  arras;  also  Gen,  L,  Wallace's  division  of  Gen,  Grant's 
army,  making  at  least  33,000  fresh  troops,  which  added  to  the  remnant 
of  General  Grant's  forces  on  Monday  morning,  amounting  to  2'), 000, 
made  an  aggregate  force  of  at  least  53,000  men  arrayed  against  us 
on  that  day. 

In  connection  with  the  results  of  the  battle,  I  should  state  that 
most  of  our  men  who  had  inferior  arms,  exchanged  them  for  the 
superior  arms  of  the  enemy,  also,  that  most  of  the  property,  public 
and  personal,  of  the  camps,  from  which  the  enemy  were  driven  on 
Sunday,  was  rendered  useless,  or  greatly  damaged,  except  some  of 
the  tents. 

With  this  are  transmitted  certain  papers,  to  wit: 

Order  of  movements,  marked  A, 

A  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  marked  B, 

A  list  of  captured  flags,  marked  C, 

A  map  of  the  field  of  battle,  marked  D, 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  through  my  volunteer  aid-dc- 
carap,  Colonel  Jacob  Thompson,  of  Mississippi,  who  has  the   flags  Iq 
charge;  also  the  standards  and  colors  captured  from  the  enemy. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

G.  r.  BEUA REGARD, 

Genrral  Commanding;. 


(A.) 
SPECIAL  ORDERS  AS  TO  MOVEMENT  OF  TROOPS. 


Headquarters  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  ) 
Corinth,  Miss.,  April  3cl,  1862.      \ 

To  General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  Riclimond  : 

Special  Orders,  ) 
No.  8.       ■  i 

I.  In  the  impending  movements,  the  corps  of  this  army  will  march, 
assemble,  and  take  order  of  battle  in  the  follo^ring  manner,  it  being 
presumed  that  the  enemy  is  in  position  about  a  mile  in  advance  of 
Shiloh  Church,  with  the  right  resting  on  Owl  creek  and  his  left  on 
Lick  creek  : 

1.  The  third  corps,  under  Major  General  Hardee,  will  advance  as 
soon  as  practicable  on  the  Ridge  road  from  Corinth  to  what  is  called 
the  Bark  road,  passing  about  half  a  mile  Northwest  of  the  workhouse. 
The  head  of  the  column  will  bivouac,  if  possible,  at  Meckey's  house, 
at  the  intersection  of  the  road  from  Monterey  to  Savannah. 

The  cavalry,  thrown  well  forward  during  the  march,  will  reconnoitre 
and  prevent  surprise,  Avill  halt  in  front  of  the  Meckey  House  on  the 
Bark  road. 

2.  Major  Waddell,  A.  D.  C.  to  General  Beauregard,  with  two  good 
guides,  will  report  for  service  to  Major  General  Hardee. 

3.  At  three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  to-morrow,  the  third  corps,  with  the 
left  in  fi'ont,  will  continue  to  advance  by  the  Bark  road,  until  within 
sight  of  the  enemy's  outposts,  on  advanced  positions,  when  it  will  be 
deployed  in  line  of  battle,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  its 
left  resting  on  Owl  creek,  its  right  towards  Lick  creek,  supported  on 
that  flank  by  half  of  its  cavalry.  The  left  flank  being  supported  by 
the.  other  half.  The  interval  between  the  extreme  right  of  this  corps 
and  Lick  creek,  will  be  filled  with  a  brigade  or  division,  according  to 
the  extent  of  the  ground,  from  the  second  corps.  These  troops,  dur- 
ing the  battb,  will  also  be  under  the  command  of  Major  General 
Hardee. 

He  will  make  the  proper  disposition  of  the  artillery  along  the  line 
of  battle,    remembering  tliat   the  rifle  guns  are  of  long  ranges  and 

11    Till-  OO 

should  be  placed  m  very  commanding  positions  in  rearof  tha  infantry, 


189 

to  fire  mainly  oti  tlie  reserves  and  second  line  of  tlie  enemy,  but  oc* 
casionally  will  be  divided  on  his  batteries  and  heads  of  columns. 

II.  The  second  corps,  under  Major  General  Braxton  Bragg,  will  as- 
semble at  Monterey,  and  move  thence  as  early  as  practicable  ;  the 
right  wing  with  left  in  front,  by  the  road  from  Monterey  to  Savannah; 
the  head  of  the  column  to  reach  the  vicinity  of  Meckey's  house,  at  the 
intersection  of  the  Bark  road,  bef<^  sunset.  The  cavalry  with  this 
wing  will  take  position  on  the  road  to  Savannah,  beyond  Meckcj's,  as 
far  as  Owl  creek,  having  advanced  guards  and  pickets  with  the  front. 
The  left  wing  of  this  corps  will  advance  at  the  same  time,  also  left  in 
front,  by  the  road  from  Monterey  to  Purdy ;  the  head  of  the  column 
to  reach  by  night  the  intersection  of  ^hat  road  with  the  Bark  road. 
This  wing  will  continue  the  movement  in  the  morning  as  soon  as  the 
rear  of  the  third  corps  shall  have  passed  the  Purdy  road,  which  it  will 
then  follow. 

The  second  corps  will  form  the  second  line  of  battle,  about  one 
thousand  yards  in  rear  of  first  line.  It  will  be  formed,  if  practicable, 
with  regiments  in  double  columns  at  half  distance,  disposed  as  advan- 
tageously as  the  nature  of  the  ground  will  admit,  and  Avith  a  view  to 
facility  of  deployment.  The  artillery  placed  as  may  seem  best  to 
Major  General  Bragg. 

III.  The  first  corps,  under  Major  General  Polk,  with  the  exception 
of  the  detached  divisions  at  Bethel,  will  take  up  its  line  of  march  by 
llidge  road,  hence  to  Pittsburg,  half  an  hour  after  the  rear  of  the 
third  corps  shall  have  passed  Corinth,  and  will  bivouac  to-night  in  the 
rear  of  that  corps,  and  to-morrow  will  follow  the  movements  of  that 
corps,  with  the  same  interval  of  time  as  to-day.  When  the  hca<l  of 
column  shall  have  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  Meckey  House,  it  will 
be  halted  in  column  or  massed  on  the  line  of  the  Bark  road,  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  as  a  reserve.  Meanwhile,  one  regi- 
ment of  its  cavalry  will  be  placed  in  obscrvatian  on  the  road  from 
Johnston's  house  to  Stantonville  Another  regiment  or  battalion  of 
cavalry  will  be  posted  in  the  same  manner  on  the  road  from  Monte- 
rey to  Purdy,  with  the  rear  resting  on  or  about  the  intersection  of  that 
road  with  the  Bark  road,  having  advanced  guards  and  pickets  in  the 
direction  of  Purdy. 

The  forces  at  Bethel  and  Purdy  will  defend  their  positions  as  al- 
ready instructed,  if  attacked,  otherwise  they  will  assemble  on  Purdy, 
and  thence  advance,  with  advanced  guards,  flankers,  and  all  other 
prescribed  military  precautions,  by  the  road  thence  to  Monterey,  form- 
ing a  junction  with  the  rest  of  the  first  corps  at  the  intersection  of 
that  road  with  the  Bark  road  leading  to  Corinth. 

IV.  The  reserve  of  the  forces  will  be  concentrated,  by  tlie  shortest 
and  best  routes,  at  Monterey  as  soon  as  the  rear  of  the  second  corps 
Bhall  have  moved  out  of  that  place.  Its  commander  will  take  up  the 
best  position  whence  to  advance  as  required,  either  in  the  direction  of 
Meckey's  or  of  T'ratt's  house,  on  the  direct  road  to  Pittsburg,  if  that 
road  is  found  practicable,  or  in  the  direction  of  the  Ptidgc.  road  to 
Hamburg,  throwing  all  i*3  cavalry  on  the  latter  road,  a.s  far  as  its 
intersection,  with  the  one  to  Pittsburg  passing  through  Gricrford  or 
Lick  creek. 


190 

This  cnvalry  A\ill  throw  well  forwanl  advnnced  guanis  and  videttcs 
towards  Gricrlicld,  and  in  the  direction  of  Hamburg,  and  during  the 
impending  battle,  when  called  to  the  field  of  combat,  will  move  by  the 
Grierfield  road. 

A  regiment  of  the  infantry  reserve  will  be  thrown  forward  to  the 
intersection  of  the  Grand  llill  road  to  Hamburg,  as  a  support  to  the 
cavalry.  # 

The  reseri'c  will  be  formed  of  Breckenridge's,  Bowcn's  and  Salhem's 
Brigades,  as  now  organized  the  whole  under  Brigadier  General  Brcck- 
enridge. 

V.  General  Bragg  will  detach  the  51st  and  52d  Regiments  of  Ten- 
nessee Volunteers,  Blount's  Alabama,  and  Desha'' s  ArJcansas  battalions  and 
Bain's  battery  from  his  corps,  which,  with  two  of  Carroll's  regiments, 
now  en  route  for  the  headquarters,  will  form  a  garrison  for  the  post 
and  depot  at  Corinth. 

YI.  Strong  guards  will  be  left  on  the  railroad  bridges  between  luka 
and  Corinth,  to  be  furnished  in  due  proportion  from  the  commands  of 
luka,  Burnsville  and  Corinth. 

A'^II.  Proper  guards  will  he  left  at  the  camps  of  the  several  regi- 
ments of  the  forces  on  the  field.  Corps  commanders  will  determine 
the  force  of  the  guards. 

YIII.  Wharton's  regiment  of  Te.\as  Cavalry  will  be  ordered  for- 
ward at  once  to  scout  on  the  road  from  Monterey  to  Savannah,  between 
Meceky's  and  its  intersection  with  the  Pittsburg  Purdy  road.  It  will 
annoy  and  harrass  any  force  of  the  enemy  coming  that  "way,  to  assail 
Cheatham's  Division  at  Purdy. 

IX.  The  Chief  En giiiecr  of  the  forces  will  take  all  due  measures  and 
precautions,  and  give  requisite  orders  for  the  repairs  of  all  the  bridges, 
causeways,  and  roads  on  which  our  army  may  move  in  the  execution 
of  their  orders. 

X.  The  troops,  individually  so  intelligent,  and  with  such  a  grand 
interest  involved  in  the  issue,  are  urgently  enjoined  to  be  obedient  and 
observant  of  the  orders  of  their  superiors  in  the  hour  of  battle.  Their 
officers  must  constantly  keep  them  in  hand,  and  prevent  the  w"astc  of 
ammunition  by  heedless  firing.  The  fire  should  be  slow,  always,  at  a 
distant  mark.  It  is  expected  that  much  and  effective  work  will  be  done 
with  the  bayonet. 

By  command  of  Gen.  A.  S.  Joilnston  : 

THOMAS  JORDAN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  Geixeral, 


\ 


KILLED,   WOUNDED  AND  MISSING  m  baUle  of  Shiloh. 


Command. 


Comma  SDKBi 


1st  Brigade,  1st  OivisioD,  !Col.  F.  M.  Russell 

8d        "  "  iHi'?-  t'cn.  A.  I*.  Stewart, 

tst       "        2d    Division, ! Brig.  Gen.  U.  K.  JohngoD, 

'ii        "  "  jCol.  W.  11.  Stei.hcn.",.... 

Total Major  Geu.  Volk 


li!t  Brlfrade,  1st  Division,  Col.  Oibsor,. 


2<\ 
8(1 
1st 
21 
8d 


Brip.  Oen.  Anderson,. 

"  ICol.  Potd, 

2d    Division,  Brig.  Gen.  Gladden,   . 
"                [Brig.  (?en.  f'halmers, . 
"               |Brig.  GePi  .TacksoD. .  . 
Total, !  General  Bragp, 


1ft  Bilfrade 'Br>p.  Oen.  llindman, 

'-id         "         JBrii?.  Gen.  (It-burn,. 

8J         "         iBrl);.  Oen,   Woor',... 

Total, jMajor  Gen.  Uardte,. 


Corps. 


1st  Corps. 


2a   Corps 


let  Kentucky  Brigade,..  Col.  Trabup 

Vnd  Brlgad'-, :Brig.  Gen.  Howen, 

Bd  Brlpade, Col.  ptatham, 

Total, iMsj.  Ceil.    Breckinridge, 


Orand  Total 'General  Beaurpj^ard, . . . 


.Id    Torps. 


t 

b: 

n 

A 

■J 

u 

-) 

o 

J3^ 

^ 

97 

512 

SIR 

421 

12(1 

(i07 

7^ 

4i;{ 

385 

1958 

9.'. 

4SS 

67 

(il.-i 

89 

*ir, 

129 

597 

82 

(14.8 

9' 

864 

t58 

244, 

109 

.',46 

18.^ 

791) 

Iii7 
404 

<)()n 
1986 

151 

98    49- 

l!i7!  C27 

8SG|IG^2 


Army  Miss  1728'8012    g.-iQ 


Bs  MARKS. 


Brig.  Gen.  CUrk,  CommaDd- 

inu  1st  Division. 
Mpjor    Gent-rill     Cheatham, 

2n(l  Division. 


Brigadier    General  Riigglea, 
1st  Division, 

Brifradler    General    Vi'itherg, 
2J  Divlilon. 


RECAPITULATION 


Killed,     1,728 

Wounded,     S,013 

MUslng,   9,>9 

Total, .» 10,699 


(C.) 

LIST   OF  FLAGS   CAPTURED   at   the  batik  of  Shiloh,  near  the 
Tennessee  River,  April  Gtli,  1SG2. 


HF.ADiUAKTERS  ArMY  OF   TIIK  MlSSISSITPI,  ) 

CoKiNTii,  Miss.,  April  23,  186 2.      S 


5 

20 
1 


Five  blue  silk  Regimental  Colors. 
Twenty  Federal  Flags. 
One  Garrison  Flag. 
Two  Guidons. 


THOMAS  JORDAN, 

A.  A.    General. 


(E.) 

FIEJ.B  RETURN  of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  before  and  after 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  fought  April  6th  and  1th. 


RMV  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  ) 

I,  Miss.,  April  21st,  18G2.      [ 


IlEADqOARTERS  AfMV  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI, 

Corinth, 


H  o 

r  «  K 

Command. 

COMMANOER. 

l^l 

Remarks. 

U    J    H 

W    «J    -1 

K    'Z.    < 

t  ^« 

.    t^^ 

W 

K 

First  Army  Corps, 

Major  Cen.  L.Polk, 

9,13G 

0,779 

The    battle-field 

Sec'd  Army  Corps. 

Gen.  15.  Bragp;,    . .  . 

13,580 

99,01 

beinpj    so     thickly 

Third  Army  Corps, 

Major    Gen.    W.  J. 

wooded     that    the 

Hardee, 

0,789 

4,009 

Cavalrv   was  use- 

Reserve,  

Brifr.  (len.  John  C. 
Breckinridge,..  . . 

0,439 

4,200 

less  and  could  not 

operate  at  all. 

Total    Infantry  and 

Artillery 

Briiradicr     General 
l'\  (iardncr, 

35,953 

4,382 
40,355 

25,555 

4,081 

29,630 

Cavalrv 

Grand  total 

Difference  l'^,G99,  casualties  in  battle  of  Shiloh. 


Respectfully  submitted  and  forwarded, 

G.  T.  b?:auregard, 

Gejieral  Commandirg,  A.  M. 


13 


LETTER  OF  GENERAL  BRAXTON  BRAGG. 


Headquarters  Department  No.  2.  ) 
Mobile,  Ala.,  July  25,  1862.      \ 

<icn.  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  C.  S.  A.,  Richmond: 

Sir  :  Ilcrewitli,  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  mj  official  report,  as 
vommandcr  of  the  second  corps  Army  Mississippi,  of  the  battle  of 
••  Shiloh."  The  great  delay,  somewhat  unusual  with  me  in  official 
matters,  has  resulted  from  a  combination  of  unavoidable  circumstances. 
Wishing  to  make  it  complete,  the  reports  of  all  subordinates  were 
desired;  but,  at  last,  several  are  wanting.  My  own  time  has  been  so 
much  occupied,  too,  thatit  is  not  rendered  as  soon,  nor  is  it  as  com- 
plete as  I  could  have  desired-. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,- 

Your  obedient  servant, 

BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
.  General  Commanding. 


H'EPOIlT  OF  GENERAL  BRAXTON  BRAGG. 


Headquarters  Skcond  Corps,  A.  M.,  ) 
Corinth,  Miss.,  April  ii),  1802.       S 

Brigadier  General  Thomas  Jordan,  Chirf  of  Staff  : 

General:  In  submitting  a  report  of  the  operations  of  my  command, 
the  second  army  corps,  in  the  action  of  Shiloh,  on  the  6th  and  7th  of 
April,  it  is  proper  that  the  narrative  of  events  on  the  field  be  preceded 
by  a  sketch  of  the  march  from  here.  But  few  regiments  of  my  com- 
mand had  ever  made  a  day's  march.  A  very  large  proportion  of  the 
rank  and  file  had  never  performed  a  day's  labor.  Our  organization 
had  been  most  hasty,  with  great  deficiency  in  commanders,  and  was, 
therefore,  very  imperfect.  The  equipment  was  lamentably  defective 
for  field  service,  and  our  transportation  liastily  impressed  in  the  coun- 
try was  deficient  in  quantity  and  very  inferior  in  quality.  With  all 
these  drawbacks  the  troops  marched,  late  on  the  afternoon  of  the  3rd, 
a  day  later  than   intended,  in  high   spirits,  and  e.ager  for  the  contest. 

'ihc  road  to  Monterey,  eleven  miles,  was  found  very  bad,  requiring 
us,  until  eleven  o'clock  on  the  4th,  to  concentrate  at  that  place,  where 
one  of  my  brigades  joined  the  column.  Moving  from  there,  the  com- 
mand bivouacked,  for  the  night,  near  tlie  Mockey  House,  immediately 
in  rear  of  Major  General  Hardee's  corps,  Major  General  Polk's  beinp; 
just  in  our  rear. 

Our  advance  cavalry  had  encountered  the  enemy  during  the  diy, 
and  captured  several  prisoners,  being  compelled,  however  to  retire. 
A  rcconnoisance.  in  some  force,  from  tlic  enemy  made  its  appearance 
during  the  evening  in  front  of  General  Hardee's  corps,  and  wa.H 
promptly  driven  back. 

The  commanders  of  divisions  and  brigades  were  assembled  at  night, 
the  order  was  read  to  them,  and  the  topography  of  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion was  explained  as  far  as  understood  by  usi.  Orders  were  then  given 
for  the  troops  to  march  at  three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  so  as  to  attack  the 
enemy  early  on  the  fifth.  About  two  A.  M.,  a  drenching  rain  storm 
commenced,  to  which  the  troops  were  exposed  without  tents,  and  con» 
tinue<l  until  daylight,  rendering  it  so  dark,  and  filling  the  creeks  and 
ravines  to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  it  impracticable  to  move  at  night. 
Orders  were  immediately  sent  nut  to  suspend  the  movement  until  the  first 
dawn  of  day.  Continued  firing,  by  volley.^  and  single  shots,  was  kept  up 
all  night  and  until  seven  A.  M.,  next  morning  by  the  undisciplined 
troops  of  our  front,  in  violation  of  positive  orders.    Under  su?h  circum- 


196 

stances,  little  or  no  rest  could  be  obtained  by  our  men,  raid  it  waff 
seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  before  the  road  Avas  clear,  so  as  to  put 
my  command  in  motion,  though  it  had  been  in  ranks  and  ready  from 
three  A.  M.,  in  the  wet  and  cold,  and  suffering  from  inaction.  At 
this  juncture  the  commanding  General  arrived  at  our  position.  ISIjr 
column,  at  last  fairly  in  motion,  moved  on  without  delay,  uniil  arriving 
near  where  the  Pittsburg  road  leaves  the  Bark  road,  when  a  message 
from  Major  General  Ilardco  announced  the  enemy  in  his  front,  and 
that  he  had  developed  his  lino.  As  promptly  as  my  troops  could  bo 
brought  up  in  a  narrow  road,  much  encumbered  with  artillery  and  bag- 
gage wagons,  they  were  formed  according  to  order  of  battle,  about 
eight  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  Hardee's  line,  my  centre  resting  on  the 
IMtt.^burg  road,  my  right  brigade,  Gladden's  of  Withers'  division: 
throwa  forward  to  the  right  of  the  first ;  Major  General  Ilardee'a 
force  not  being  sufficient  for  the  ground  to  be  covered. 

In  this  position  we  remained,  anxiously  awaiting  the  approach  of 
our  reserve,  to  advance  upon  the  enemy,  now  but  a  short  distance  in 
our  front.  The  condition  of  the  roads  and  other  untoward  circum- 
stances delayed  them  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  rendering  it  necessa- 
ry to  defer  the  attack  until  next  morning.  The  night  was  occupied 
by  Kyself  and  a  portion  of  my  staff  in  efforts  ta  bring  forward  provi- 
sions for  a  portion  of  the  troops  then  suffering  from  their  improvi- 
dence. Having  been  ordered  to  march  with  five  days'  rations,  they 
were  found  hungry  and  destitute,  at  the  end  of  three  days.  This  is 
one  cf  the  evils  of  raw  troops,  imperfectly  organized,  and  badly  com- 
manded ;  a  tribute,  it  seems,  we  must  continue  to  pay  to  universal 
suffrage,  the  banc  of  our  military  organization.  In  this  condition,  we' 
passed  the  night,  and  at  dawn  of  day,  prepared  to  move.  The  enemy 
did  not  give  us  time  to  discuss  the  question  of  attack,  for  soon  after 
dawn  he  commenced  a  rapid  musketry  fire  on  our  pickets.  The  order 
was  immediately  given  by  the  Commanding  General,  and  our  lines 
■a<lvanced.  Such  was  the  ardor  of  our  troops,  t^at  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  they  could  be  restrained  from  closing  up,  and  mingling  with 
the  first  line.  Witliin  less  than  a  mile,  the  enemy  was  encountered  in 
force  at  the  encampments  of  iiis  advanced  positions,  but  our  first  line 
brushed  him  away,  leaving  the  rear  nothing  to  do  but  to  press  on  in 
pursuit.  In  about  one  mile  more,  we  encountered  him  in  strong  force, 
:ilong  almost  the  entire  line.  His. batteries  were  posted  on  eminences 
with  strong  infantry  supports.  Finding  the  first  line  was  now 
unequal  to  the  work  before  it,  being  weakened  by  extension,  and 
necessarily  broken  by  the  nature  of  the  ground,  I  ordered  my  whole" 
force  to  n»ove  up  steadily  and  promptly  to  its  support. 

1'he  order  was  hardly  necessary,  for  subordinate  commanders,  far 
beyond  the  reach  of  my  voice  and  eye  in  the  broken  country  occupied 
by  us,  had  promptly  acted  on  the  necessity  as  it  arose,  and  by  the- 
time  the  order  could  be  conveyed,  the  whole  line  was  developed  and 
actively  engaged. 

From  this  time  about  seven-and-a-half  o'clock,  until  night,  the  bat- 
tle raged  with  little  intermission.  All  parts  of  our  line  were  not 
constantly  engaged,  but  there  was  no  tim«  without  heavy  firing  ift 
some  portion  of  it. 


197 

My  position,  for  several  hours,  ^vas  opposite  mj  left  centre,  (Rug- 
gles'  division)  immediately  in  rear  of  ITindman's  brigade,  Ilardoe's 
>corps.  In  moving  over  the  difEcull  and  broken  ground,  the  right 
brif:radc  of  Ruggles'  divis^ion.  Col.  Gibson  commandinor,  bearing  to 
the  right,  became  separated  from  the  two  left  brigades,  leaving  a 
broad  interval.  Three  regiments  of  Major  General  Polk's  comiuand 
opportunely  came  up  and  filled  tltis  interval.  Finding  uo  superior 
officer  with  them,  I  took  the  liberty  of  directing  their  movements  in 
support  of  liindman,  then  as  before  ardently  pressing  forward,  and 
engaging  the  enemy  at  every  point. 

On  the  ground  which  had  come  under  my  imniediate  observation^  we 
bad  already  captured  three  large  encampments,  and  three  batteries  of 
artillery.      It  was  now  about  ten-and-a-half  o'clock. 

Our  right  flank  according  to  the  order  of  battle  h&d  pressed  for- 
ward ardently  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  commanding  Gen- 
eral, and  swept  all  before  it.  Batteries,  encampments,  storehouses, 
munitions  in  ricli  profusion,  were  ours :  and  the  enemy  fighting  hard 
and  causing  us  to  pay  dearly  for  our  successes,  was  falling  back  rapidly 
at  every  point.  His  left,  however,  opposite  our  right,  was  his  strongest 
ground,  and  position,  and  was  disputed  with  obstinacy.  It  was  during 
this  severe  struggle  that  my  command  Buffered  an  irreparable  loss  ia 
the  fall  of  Brig.  Gen.  Gladden,  commanding  1st  brigade.  Withers' 
division,  mortally,  and  Col.  D.  W.  Adams,  Louisiana  regivlar  infantry, 
(his  successor)  severely  wounded.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  by 
these  losses,  this  noble  division,  under  its  gallant  leader,  Withers, 
pressed  on  with  the  other  troops  in  its  vicinity,  and  carried  all  before 
them.  Their  progress,  however,  under  the  obstinate  resistance  made, 
nvas  not  so  rapid  as  was  desired,  in  proportion  to  that  of  tlie  left, 
where  the  enemy  was  less  strong;  so  that,  instead  of  driving  him,  as 
we  intended,  down  the  river,  leaving  the  left  open  for  him  to  pass,  wo 
had  rjally  enveloped  him  on  all  sides,  and  were  pressing  him  btvck 
upon  the  landing  at  Pittsburg. 

Meeting  at  about  KJ  and-a-half  o'clock,  upon  the  left  centre  with 
Maj.  Gen.  Polk,  my  senior,  I  promptly  yielded  to  him  the  important 
command  at  that  point,  nnd  moved  towards  the  right,  in  the  direction 
in  which  Brig.  Gen.  iliudman,  of  Hardee's  line,  had  just  led  his 
<livision. 

Here  wc  met  the  most  obstinate  resistance  of  the  day,  the  enemy 
being  strongly  posted  with  infantry  an<l  artillery  on  an  eminence  iiu- 
fncdiatcly  behind  a  dense  thicket.  Ilindman's  command  was  gallantly 
led  to  the  attack,  but  recoiled  under  a  murderous  lire.  The  noble  and 
gallant  lca.der  fell  severely  wounded,  and  was  borne  from  the  field  he 
had  illustrated  with  a  heroism  rarely  equalled. 

The  command  soon  returned  to  its  work,  but  was  unerninl  to  the 
heavy  task.  Leaving  them  to  hoM  their  position,  I  moved  further  to 
the  right,  and  brought  up  the  first  brigide,  (Gibson  of  Knggles' 
division),  which  was  in  rear  of  its  true  position,  and  threw  them  for- 
ward to  attack  this  same  point.  A  very  heivy  fire  soon  opened,  and 
after  a  short  conflict,  this  command  fill  back  in  considerable  disorder. 
Rallying  the  different  regimeuts  by   means  of  my  Staff  officers  and 


IDS 

escort,  they  Tvere  twice  more  moved  to  tlie  attack,  or.ly  to  be  drfven 
back  by  the  enemy's  fhvrpshcoters  occupying  the  thick  cover.  This 
result  was  due  entirely  to  want  of  proper  handling. 

Finding  that  nothinoc  could  be  done  here,  after  hours  of  severe- 
exertion  and  heavy  losses,  and  learning  the  fall  of  our  commander, 
who  was  leading  in  person  on  the  extreme  right,  the  troops  were  so- 
posted  as  to  hold  this  position,  and  leaving  a  competent  Staff  officer,, 
to  direct  them  in  my  name,  I  moved  rapidly  ta  the  extreme  right. 
Here  I  found  a  strong  force,  consisting  of  three  parts,  -without  a  com- 
mon head ;  Brig.  Gen.  Breckinridge  with  his  reserve  division  pressing, 
the  enemy ;  Brig.  Gen.  Withers,  with  his  splendid  division,  greatly 
exhausted,  and  taking  a  temporary  rest,  andMaj.  Gen.  Cheatham,  witK 
his  division  of  Maj.  Gen.  Polk's  command,  to  their  left  and  rear.  These 
troops  were  soon  put  in  motion,  responding  with  great  alacrity  to  the 
command  of  ''forward,  let  every  order  be  forward."  It  was  now  pro- 
bably past  four  o'clock,  the  descending  sun  warning  us  to  press  our 
advantage,  and  finish  the  work  before  night  should  compel  us  to- 
desist. 

Fairly  in  motion,  these  commands  again,  Avith  a  common  head  and 
a  ccmmon  purpose,  swept  all  before  them.  Neither  battery,  nor  bat- 
talion, could  withstand  their  onslaught.  Passing  through  camp  after 
camp,  rich  iu  military  spoils  oF  every  kind,  the  enemy  was  driven  head- 
long from  every  position,  and  thrown  in  confused  masses  upon  the  river 
bank,  behind' his  heavy  artillery,  and  under  cover  of  his  gun-boats  at 
the  landing.  He  had  left  nearly  the  whole  of  his  light  artillery  in  our 
hands,  and  some  three  thousand  or  more  prisoners,  who  were  cut  off 
from  their  retreat  by  the  closing  in  of  our  troops  on  the  left  under 
Major  General  Polk,  with  a  portion  of  his  reserve  corps,  and  Brigadier 
General  Buggies,  with  Anderson's  and  Pond's  brigades  of  his  division. 

The  prisoners  were  dispatched  to  the  rear  under  a  proper  guard,  all 
else  being  left  on  the  field,  that  we  might  press  our  advantage.  The 
enemy  had  fallen  back  in  much  confusion,  and  was  crowded  in  unor- 
ganized masses  on  the  river  bank,  vainly  striving  to  cross.  They 
were  covered  by  a  battery  of  heavy  guns  well  served,  and  their  tvvO' 
gun-boats,  which  now  poured  a  heavy  fire  upon  our  supposed  positions, 
tor  we  were  entirely  hid  by  the  forest.  Their  fire,  though  terrific  in 
L'ound,  and  producing  some  consternation  at  first,  did  us  no  damage,, 
as  the  shells  all  passed  over,  and  exploded  far  beyond  our  positions. 

As  soon  as  our  troops  could  be  again  formed  and  put  in  motion,  the- 
order  was  given  to  move  forward  at  all  points  and  sweep  the  enemy 
irom  the  field.  The  sun  was  about  disappearing,  so  that  little  time 
was  left  us  to  finish  the  glorious  work  of  the  day  ;  a  day  unsurpassed, 
in  the  history  of  warfare  for  its  daring  deeds,  brilliant  achievements,, 
and  heavy  sacrifices. 

Our  troops,  greatly  exhausted  by  twelve  hours  incessant  fighting,, 
without  food,  mostly  responded  to  the  order  with  alacrity,  and  tho 
movement  commenced  with  every  prospect  of  success,  though  a  heavy 
battery  in  our  front,  and  the  gun -boats  on  our  right,  seemed  deter- 
mined to  dispute  every  inch  of  ground. 
.  Just    at    this    tim.e,  an  order  was  received  from  tke  commanding 


199 

General,  to  withdraw  the  forces  beyond  the  enemy's  fire.  As  this 
was  communicated  in  many  instances  direct  to  brigade  commanders, 
the  troops  were  soon  in  motion,  and  the  action  ceased.  The  different 
commands  mixed  and  scattered,  bivouacked  at  points  most  convenient 
to  their  positions,  and  beyond  the  range  of  the  enemy's  guns.  All 
firing,  except  a  half  hour  shot  from  the  gun-boats,  ceased  and  the 
whole  night  was  passed  by  our  exhausted  men  in  quiet.  Such  as  had 
not  sought  shelter  in  the  camps  of  the  enemy,  were  again  drenched 
before  morning  by  one  of  those  heavy  rain  storms  which  seemed  to  be 
our  portion  for  this  expedition. 

Such  was  the  nature  of  the  ground  over  which  we  had  fought,  and 
the  heavy  resistance  we  had  met,  that  the  commands  of  the  whole 
army  were  very  muc"h  shattered.  In  a  dark  or  stormy  night,  com- 
manders found  it  impossible  to  find  and  assemble  their  troops ;  each 
body  or  fragment  bivouacking  when  night  overtook  them. 

In  this  condition,  morning  found  us  confronting  a  large  and  fresh 
array,  which  had  arrived  during  the  night,  and  for  the  first  time  the 
enemy  advanced  to  meet  us.  He  was  received  by  our  whole  line 
with  a  firm  and  bold  front,  and  the  battle  airain  rasred. 

From  this  hour  until  2  P.  M.,  the  action  continued  with  great  ob- 
stinacy and  varying  success.  Our  troops  exhausted  by  days  of  inces- 
sant fatigue,  hunger,  and  want  of  rest,  and  ranks  thinned  by  killed, 
Avounded  and  stragglers,  amounting  in  the  whole,  to  nearly  half  our 
force,  fought  bravely,  but  with  the  want  of  that  animation  and  spirit 
Avhich  characterized  them  the  preceding  day.  Many  instances  of 
daring  and  desperate  valor,  deserving  of  better  success,  failed  for  want 
of  numbers. 

My  personal  services  were  confined  during  this  day  to  the  extreme 
left  of  our  line,  where  my  whole  time  was  incessantly  occupied.  The 
troops  in  my  front  consisted  of  Ruggles'  division.  Colonel  Wobue's 
brigade  of  Breckinridge's  reserve,  and  other  detachments  of  difterent 
corps,  all  operating  to  the  left  of  Shiloh  Church.  This  force  advanced 
in  the  early  morning,  and  pressed  the  enemy  back  for  nearly  a  mile, 
securing  for  our  left  flank  an  eminence  in  an  open  field  near  Owl  Creek, 
which  we  held  until  near  the  close  of  the  conflict,  against  every  effort 
the  enemy  could  make.  For  this  gallant  and  obstinate  defence  of  our 
left  flank  which  the  enemy  constantly  endeavored  to  force,  we  were 
indebted  to  Colonel  Wobue's  small  brigade  in  support  of  Captain 
Burn's  battery.  Against  overwhelming  numbers,  this  gallant  com- 
mand maintained  its  position  from  the  commencement  of  the  action. 
until  about  twelve  o'clock,  when  our  forces  on  the  left  falling  back,  it 
was  left  entirely  without  support,  far  in  front  of  our  whole  army. 
Safety  required  it  to  retire.  During  this  time,  the  right  and  centre 
were  actively  engaged.  Withers'  division,  in  conjunction  with  por- 
tions of  Hardee's  and  Breckcnridgc's  commands,  obstinately  disputed 
every  eftbrt  of  the  enemy.  But  his  overwhelming  numbers,  a  very 
large  portion  being  perfectly  fresh  troops,  the  prostration  of  our  men, 
and  the  exhaustion  of  our  ammunition, — not  a  battalion  being  sup- 
plied,— rendered  our  position  most  perilous,  and  the  commanding 
General  ordered  a  retrogade  movement  to  commence  on  the  right. 
This  was  gradually  extended  to  the  left,  now  held  by  Ketchum's  bat- 


200 

tery.  The  troops  fell  back  generally  in  perfect  order,  and  formed 
line  of  battle  on  a  ridge  about  half  a  mile  in  the  rear.  Ketchum  re- 
tiring slowly  as  the  rear  guard  of  the  whole  army. 

The  enemy  evinced  no  disposition  to  pursue.  After  some  half  hour 
our  troops  were  again  put  in  motion  and  moved  about  a  .mile  further, 
where  line  was  formed,  and  final  arrangements  were  made  for  the 
march  of  our  camp  to  Corinth,  the  enemy  making  not  the  slightest 
demonstration  upon  us. 

This  orderly  movement,  under  the  circumstances,  was  as  creditable 
to  the  troops  as  any  part  of  the  brilliant  advance  they  had  made. 

A  "Field  Return"  of  the  force  "carried  into  action,  marked  *'A," 
a  return  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  marked  *'  B,"  and  the  reports 
of  division  commanders,  marked  "  C  "  and  "  D,"  accompanied  by  those 
of  subordinate  commanders,  are  herewith  forwarded.  Of  the  missing, 
a  few  arc  ascertained  to  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
mostly  wounded.     The  others  were,  no  doubt,  left  dead  on  the  field. 

The  heavy  loss  sustained  by  the  command  will  best  indicate  the  ob- 
stinacy the  resistance  met,  and  the  determination  with  which  it  waa 
ove'rcome. 

For  the  part  performed  by  the  different  portions  of  the  corps,  re- 
ference is  made  to  the  reports  of  subordinate  commanders. 

The  division  of  Brigadier  General  J.  M.  Withers  was  gallantly  led 
by  that  officer  from  the  first  gun  to  the  close  of  the  action,  and  per- 
formed service  rarely  surpassed  by  any  troops  on  any  field. 

Brigadier  General  A.  II.  Gladden,  first  brigade  of  this  division, 
fell  early  in  the  action,  mortally  wounded,  whilst  gallantly  leading  his 
men  in  a  successful  charge.  No  better  soldier  lived — no  truer  man 
or  nobler  patriot  ever  shed  his  blood  in  a  just  cause. 

Later  in  the  day.  Colonel  D.  W,  Adams,  Louisiana  infantry,  who 
had  succeeded  to  this  splendid  brigade,  was  desperately  wounded 
whilst  gallantly  leading  it,  and  later  still.  Colonel  Z.  C.  Deas,  22nd 
Alabama  Volunteers,  fell  pierced  by  several  balls. 

Brigadier  General  Jas.  R.  Chalmers,  at  the  head  of  his  gallant 
Mississippians,  filled,  he  could  not  have  exceeded,  the  measure  of 
my  expectations.  Never  Avere  troops  and  commanders  more  worthy 
of  each  other  and  of  their  State. 

Brigadier  General  J.  K.  Jackson  did  good  service  with  his  Alabama 
brigade  on  the  first  day;  but,  becoming  much  broken,  it  was  not  unitedly 
in  action  thereafter. 

The  excellent  regiment  of  Colonel  Jos.  Wheeler,  however,  joined, 
and  did  noble  service  with,  Gladden's  brigade. 

Brigadier  General  D.  Ruggles,  commanding  second  division,  was 
conspicuous  throughout  both  days,  for  the  gallantry  with  which  he  led 
his  troops.  Brigadier  General  Patton  Anderson,  commanding  a  bri- 
gade of  this  division,  was  also  among  the  foremost  where  the  fighting 
was  hardest,  and  never  failed  to  overcome  whatever  resistance  was 
opposed  to  him.  With  a  brigade  composed  almost  entirely  of  raw 
troops,  his  personal  gallantry  and  soldierly  bearing  supplied  the  place 
of  instruction  and  discipline. 

It  would  be  a  pleasing  duty  to  record  the  deeds  of  many  other  noble 


,201 

soldiers  of  inferior  grade,  but  as  subordinate  commanders  have  done 
go  in  their  reports,  a  repetition  is  unnecessary.  I  sh;ill  be  pardoned 
for  making  an  exception  in  the  case  of  Captain  11.  W.  Smith,  com- 
manding a  company  of  Alabama  cavalry,  which  served  as  my  pr rsonal 
escort  during  the  action.  For  personal  gallantry  and  intelligent  exc- 
ecution  of  orders,  frequently  under  the  heaviest  fire,  his  example  has 
rarely  been  equalled.  To  him,  his  officers  and  his  men,  I  feel  a  deep 
personal,  as  well  as  official,  obligation. 

By  the  officers  of  my  staff,  I  was  most  faithfully,  laboriously  and 
gallantly  served  throughout  both  days,  as  well  as  on  the  marches  before 
and  after  the  action.  A  record  of  their  names  is  an  acknowledgment 
but  justly  due. 

Major  Geo.  G.  Garner,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  (horse  wounded 
on  Sunday). 

Captain  H.  W.  Walter,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Captain  G.  B.  Cook, 

1st  Lieutenant  Tonson  Ellis,  Regular  Aid. 
**  "  F.  S.  Parker, 

Lieutenant  Colonel  F.  Gardner,  C.  S.  A. 

"  "        W.  K.  Beard,  Florida  Volunteers,  (wounded  on 

Monday),  Acting  Inspector  General. 

Major  J.  H.  Ilallenquist,  P.  A.,  Chief  of  Artillery. 

Captain  W.  0.  Williams,  P.  A.,  Assistant  to  Chief  of  Artillery. 
"         S.  n.  Lockett,  C.  S.  Engineers. 

11.  Oladnoski,  C.  S.  A.,  Chief  of  Ordnance. 

Major  J.  J.  Walker,  P.  A.,  Chief  of  Subsistence. 
"      L.  F.  Johnston,  P.  A.,  Chief  Quartermaster. 
"      0.  P.  Chaffee,  P.  A.,  Assistant  Quartermaster. 

Surgeon  A.  I.  Foard,  C.  S.  A,,  Medical  Director. 
"        J.  C.  Nott.  P.  A.,  Medical  Inspector. 

Doctor  Robert.  G.  Butler,  of  Louisiana  Volunteers,  for  the  occasion 
rendered  excellent  service  in  our  field  hospitals. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  David  Urquhart,  Aid  to  the  Governer  of  Lou- 
isiana, served  me  with  great  intelligence  and  efficiency  as  Volunteer 
Aid. 

Several  other  officers,  during  the  engagement,  temporarily  separa- 
ted from  their  own  commands,  did  me  the  favor  to  act  on  my  staff,  and 
served  me  efficiently.  Privates  H.  Montague  and  ^L  Sh  ehan,  Louisiana 
infantry,  and  private  John  Williams,  lOth  Regiment  Mississippi  Vol- 
unteers, orderlies  in  attendance  on  myself  and  staff,  though  humble  in 
position,  rendered  services  so  useful  and  gallant  that  their  names  arc 
fully  entitled  to  a  mention  in  this  report.  Thoy  encountered  the  same 
dangers,  and,  Avhen  necessary,  performed  nearly  tlic  same  duties  a^ 
officers  of  my  staff,  without  the  same  incentives.  In  rallying  troops, 
bringing  up  stragglers  and  enforcing  orders  against  refugees,  they 
were  especially  active,  energetic  and  efficient. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  refer  briefly  to  the  causes  it  is  believed 
operated  to  prevent  the  complete  overthrow  of  the  enemy,  which  we 
were  so  near  accomplishing,  and  which  would  have  changed  the  entire 
complexion  of  the  war. 


202 

The  \^ant  of  proper  organization  and  discipline,  and  the  inferiority 
in  nnny  cases  of  our  officers  to  the  men  they  -were  expected  to  com- 
mand, left  as  often  without  system  or  order,  and  the  large  proportion 
of  stragglers  resulting,  weakened  our  forces,  and  kept  the  superior 
and  staft"  officers  constantly  engaged  in  the  duties  of  file  closers. 
Especially  was  this  the  case  after  the  occupation  of  the  enemy's  camps, 
the  spoils  of  which  served  to  delay,  and  greatly  to  demoralize  our  ipen. 
But  no  one  cause,  probably  contributed  so  greatly  to  our  loss  of  time, 
which  was  the  loss  of  success,  as  the  fall  of  the  commanding  General. 
At  the  moment  of  this  irreparable  disaster,  the  plan  of  battle  was 
being  rapidly  and  successfully  executed  under  his  immediate  eye  and 
lead  on  the  right.  For  want  of  a  common  superior  to  the  different 
commands  on  that  part  of  the  field,  great  delay  occurred  after  this 
misfortune,  and  that  delay  prevented  the  consummation  of  the  work 
so  gallantly  and  successfully  begun  and  carried  on,  until  the  approach 
of  night  induced  our  new  commander  to  recall  the  exhausted  troops 
for  rest  and  recuperation,  before  a  crowning  effort  on  the  next  morning. 
The  arrival  during  the  night  of  a  large  and  fresh  army  to  reinforce 
the  enemy,  equal  in  numbers  at  least  to  our  own,  frustrated  all  his 
well  grounded  expectations,  and  after  a  long  and  bloody  contest  with 
superior  forces,  compelled  us  to  retire  from  the  field,  leaving  our  killed, 
many  of  our  wounded,  and  nearly  all  the  trophies  of  the  previous  day's 
victories. 

In  this  result,  wc  have  a  valuable  lesson  by  which  we  should  profit, 
never  on  a  battle-field  to  lose  a  moment's  time — but  leaving  the  killed, 
wounded  and  spoils  to  those  whose  special  business  it  is  to  care  for 
them — to  press  on  with  every  available  man,  giving  a  panic-stricken 
and  retreating  foe  no  time  to  rally,  and  reaping  all  the  benefits  of  a 
success  never  complete,  until  every  enemy  is  killed,  wounded  or  cap- 
tured,' No  course  so  certain  as  this  to  afford  succor  to  the  wounded, 
and  security  to  the  trophies. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
General  Commanding. 

P.  S.  The  transmission  of  this  report  has  been  delayed  from  time 
to  time,  that  those  from  subordinate  commanders  with  a  complete  and 
perfect  list  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  might  accompany  it.  In 
this  hope  I  am  yet  disappointed  to  a  certain  extent. 


(A.) 

FIELD  BETURN,  showing  the  nuinhcr  of  killed,  icoundcd  and  missings 
and  the  aggregate  strength  of  each  division,  2nd  corps,  army  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, April  6th,  1862. 


%  2 
S5 

(J 

-J. 

M 

293 
240 

M 
C 
>5 

O 

r- 

1334 
1103 

2137 

C3 
v. 

Aggregate. 

«:  "  S  ci 
;5  r  L,  o 

"^    r-    ^  cc 

;3  -/j  o .-. 

Withers'  Division, 

2r,3 

.209 

1880 
1(U2 

64S3 

Rugglcs'  Division, 

6484 

Grand  Total, 

033 

522 

44'J2 

12900 

RErORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  WITHERS. 


Headquarters  Wiiher's  Division,  ) 
Camp  near  Tupelo,  June  20th,  1862.      ) 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  before  day-light,  on  Satur- 
day morning,  the  5th  of  April,  this  division  was  reported  ready  to 
march,  and  that  immediately  after  the  rear  of  the  advanced  command 
was  in  motion,  it  moved  forward  in  the  following  order : 

1st — Gladdcn's  brigade. 

2d — Chalmer's  brigade, 

3d — Jackson's  brigade. 

Arriving  near  the  proposed  line  of  battle,  by  order  of  General 
Bragg,  Gladdcn's  brigade  was  thrown  forward  to  the  right  of  General 
Hardee's  advanced  or  attacking  lines.  Jacksons'  brigade  was  then 
positioned  about  300  yards  to  the  rear  of  Gladdcn's,  its  left  resting 
on  the  Bark  road.  Chalmers'  was  formed  on  the  right  of  Jackson's, 
its  right  resting  on  a  creek,  tributary  to  Lick  creek,  being  in  echelon 
to,  and  on  Gladdcn's  right.  Clanton's  cavalry  having  reported  for 
duty  with  the  division,  was  placed  in  the  rear  of  Chalmers,  with  a 
strong  picket  on  the  right  and  front.  Thus  the  division  bivouacked 
for  the  nig'ht. 

The  attacking  line  being  put  in  motion  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
Gth,  this  command  was  ordered  forward,  retaining  its  relative  position. 
With  the  advance  it  was  soon  perceptible  tliat  there  was  a  gradual 
but  steady  inclination  to  the  left,  thus  increasing  the  distance  to,  and 
exposing  our  flank  on,  Lick  creek  To  remedy  this  Colonel  Clantoa 
was  directed  to  sweep  dovrn  Lick  creek  with  his  cavalry,  and  to  pro- 
tect Our  right  from  surprise. 

By  this  time  our  attacking  line  was  warmly  engaged  with  the  ene- 
my, and  steadily  driving  them  back.  Learning  that  the  enemy  were 
in  force  in  front  of  General  Chalmers,  whose  brigade  extended  to  the 
right  of  our  attacking  line,  he  was  ordered  forward  to  attack  them. 
This  he  did  promptly,  gallantly  and  successfully.  Moving  forward 
we  passed  the  first  camp  from  which  the  enemy  had  been  driven,  and 
came  up  with  Gladdcn's  brigade,,  formed  in  square,  and  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  D.  W.  Adams,  1st  Louisiana  infantry.  General  Glad- 
den having  been  dangerously,  and  as  the  result  unfortunately  proved, 
mortally  wounded.  In  the  meantime  Chalmers'  brigade  had  moved 
steadily  onward,  and  after  a  short,  but  hot  contest,  drove  the  enemy 


205 

from  their  second  camp.  Having  thus  become  too  mucli  separated 
from  the  remainder  of  the  command,  General  Chalmers  was  ordered 
to  resume  his  position  on  Jackson's  right.  Here  some  djlay  occurred 
in  moving  forward,  the  movements  of  the  enemy  being  concealed ; 
and  a  report  being  brought  in  that  they  were  forming  in  line  of  bat- 
tle some  distance  on  our  right,  General  A.  S.  Johnston,  who  was  pre- 
sent, immediately  ordered  the  division  to  move  to  the  right.  This 
movement  was  promptly  and  rapidly  performed,  over  ground  that  waa 
rough,  broken  and  heavily  timbered.  Having  led  the  command  about 
one-half  or  three-fourths  of  a  mile  to  the  right,  it  was  halted  until 
the  cavalry  should  ascertain  whether  the  enemy  still  outflanked  us. 
Satisfied  that  there  was  no  enemy  on  our  right,  the  order  was  given 
to  advance.  The  nature  of  the  ground,  over  which  we  had  to  pass, 
rendered  it  most  difficult  for  the  artillery  to  keep  up  with  the  eager 
and  rapid  movements  of  the  infantry.  With  such  batteries,  however, 
as  Robertson's,  Grady's  and  Gage's,  there  could  be  no  failure.  Gen- 
eral Jackson,  descending  rapidly  the  hill  on  which  his  brigade  had 
rested,  found  the  enemy  in  strong  force  on  the  opposite  slope.  He 
promptly  engaged,  and  after  a  sharp,  but  warm  contest,  drove  them 
from  their  position.  Colonel  Moore,  of  the  2d  Texas,  here  displayed 
great  gallantry.  In  quick  pursuit  we  passed  an  extensive  camp,  be- 
yond which,  and  on  the  opposite  side  skirting  the  wood,  the  enemy, 
occupying  some  houses,  had  formed  a  second  line.  From  tliis  position 
they  were  also  quickly  driven,  but  soon  formed  a  third  line,  on  a  ridge 
running  nearly  parallel  with  the  Hamburg  and  Pittsburg  road. 

General  Jackson  was  ordered  to  move  forward  a  short  distance  and 
rest  his  command  in  a  ravine,  until  the  artillery  could  be  brought  up. 
This  was  quickly  done,  and  it  opened  immediately,  with  telling  effect, 
on  the  enemy.  General  Chalmers,  in  the  meantime,  advanced  r;ipidly 
upon  the  enemy,  in  strong  force,  beyond  an  old  field,  concealed  and 
protected  by  a  worm  fence  and  thick  undergrowth.  After  a  short 
conflict  they  were  dislodged  and  driven  from  their  position,  and  Chal- 
mers halted  his  command  for  a  supply  of  amm.unition. 

These  movements  caused  the  brigades  to  be  too  Avidely  separated, 
being  at  right  angles,  Jackson's  facing  north,  and  Chalmers'  east. 
Chalmers  was,  therefore,  ordered  to  move  his  command  to  its  po=iition 
on  Jackson's  right.  Satisfied  by  the  report  of  the  energetic  and  in- 
defatigable Clanton,  that  there  was  no  enemy  on  our  right,  and  being 
convinced  by  the  heavy  and  continuous  firing  that  they  were  in  force 
on  our  left,  the  division  was  ordered  to  wheel  on  a  movable  pivot  to 
the  left.  This  movement,  which  was  in  accordance  with  the  general 
plan  of  battle,  as  explained  by  the  commanding  general  to  the  divi- 
sion and  brigade  commanders,  soon  developed  the  enemy  in  strong 
force,  who  stubbornly  contested  our  advance,  but  were  driven  before 
the  cool  and  steady  Jackson,  and  the  galhint  and  impetuous  Chalmers. 
Keinforcements  were  now  called  for  on  our  left,  where  heavy  firing 
atill  continued  ;  but  this  division  being  hotly  engaged  throughout  tho 
lines,  Colonel  Rich,  of  the  1st  Missouri,  whose  regiment  was  in  our 
rear,  having  become  detached  from  Gcneial  Brown's  l)rigaile.  was  or- 
dered to  the  support.      He   moved   off  immediately  at  double-quick, 


2i)6 

and  dashed  into  the  fight,  with  good  effect.  An  order  for  relnfofcc* 
ments  Avas  now  received  from  General  Bragg.  As  the  entire  line  was 
now  warmly  engaged,  with  no  support.  General  Breckinridge,  who 
had  just  had  a  sharp  conflict  with,  and  driven  the  enemy  before  him, 
was  called  on  torcndcr  the  desired  assistance.  This  was  done  with- 
out other  delay,  than  that  necessary  to  furnish  his  troops  with  ammu- 
nition. 

This  division  still  continued  fiercely  engaged,  until  Chalmers,  hav- 
ing routed  tlie  forces  before  him,  began  to  sweep  down  on  the  left 
flank  of  the  heavy  force  in  front  of  Jackson ;  at  the  same  time  that 
Gladden's  brigade,  now  under  command  of  Colonel  Dcas,  of  the  22d 
Alabama,  the  bold  and  impetuous  Adams  having  been  dangerously 
wounded  in  the  head,  whilst  gallantly  leading  his  command,  began  to 
press  him  on  his  right.  Thus  jiositioned,  the  enemy  surrendered,  and 
were  marched  out  on  the  Hamburg  road,  through  Jackson's  brigade, 
and  placed  by  me  in  charge  of  Colonel  Shorter,  with  his  regiment,  the 
iMth  Alabama,  and  marched  to  Corinth.  The  enemy  captured  proved 
to  be  the  command  of  General  Prentiss. 

This  division  was  then  advanced  to  the  Pittsburg  edge  of  the  field, 
in  which  the  enemy  had  stacked  their  arms,  and  halted  for  a  supply  of 
ammunition.  Most  of  the  regiments  were  supplied  from  the  camps  of 
the  enemy.  The  order  was  now  given  by  General  Bragg,  who  >yas 
present  on  the  right  during  the  fierce  fight,  which  ended  in  the  capture 
of  Prentiss,  to  "  sweep  everything  forward."  This  divison  was  moved 
promptly  forward,  although  some  regiments  had  not  succeeded  in  get- 
ting a  supply  of  ammunition,  and  had  just  entered  a  steep  and  precip- 
itous ravine,  when  the  enemy  opened  a  terrific  fire  upon  it.  Staff 
ollicers  were  immediately  dispatched  to  bring  up  all  the  reinforcements 
to  be  found,  and  the  order  was  given  to  brigade  commanders  to  charge 
the  batteries.  These  orders  were  being  obej'^cd,  Avhen,  to  ray  aston- 
ishment, a  large  portion  of  the  command  was  observed  to  move  rapid-^ 
ly  b}''  the  left  tiank  from  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  Orders  were 
immediately  sent  to  arrest  the  commanding  officers,  and  for  the  troops 
to  be  promptly  placed  in  position  for  charging  the  batteries. 

Information  was  soon  brought,  however,  that  it  was  by  General 
Beauregard's  orders,  delivered  thus  directly  to  brigade  commanders, 
that  the  troops  Avere  being  rapidly  led  from  under  the  fii-e  of  the  ene- 
my's gun-boats.  Thus  ended  the  fight  on  Sunday,  and  thus  Avas  this 
command  disorganized,  an  evil  sorely  felt  during  the  next  day. 

Receiving  at  this  time  an  order  from  General  Bragg  to  take  com- 
mand of  all  the  troops  on  the  right,  and  it  being  now  near  dark,  the 
order  was  given  to  fall  back  about  half  a  mile  and  bivouck  for  the 
night,  Chalmers's  brigade  resting  in  rear  nearest  the  enemy,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  troops  at  the  second  of  tlie  camps  from  the  one  last 
captured,  under  command  of  Colonel  Wheeler,  19th  Alabama.  Hero 
we  met  Colonel  Hardee,  with  Colonel  Martin's  1st  Confederate  regi- 
ment. 

At  4  o'clock,  Monday  morning,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion  to 
form  line  of  battle,  on  the  road  leading  from  this  camp  diagonally  to 
the  left  and  rear,  to  a  road  branching  off  to   the   right  from  the  Bark 


\  207 

and  Pittsburg  roads,  and  nearly  a  mile  distant  from  the  camp.  Chal- 
mer's  brigade  -was  to  form  the  rear  guard  until  this,  otherwise  frag- 
mentary command,  could  be  worked  into  some  shape,  the  order  being 
given  to  force  all  stragglers  into  ranks.  The  head  of  this  line  had 
but  just  reached  the  point  at  which  it  was  to  halt,  when  an  order  was 
received  from  General  Bragg  to  move  my  command  to  the  assistance 
of  General  Anderson,  who  was  hotly  pressed  by  the  enemy;  Willi 
receipt  of  this  order  came  a  message  from  General  Chalmers  that  he 
had  already  had  one  fierce  engagement  with  the  enemy,  and  was  then 
in  the  second.  Every  available  man  was  immediately  marched  back, 
and  line  of  battle  formed  near  the  position  occupied  by  us  througli  the 
night,  Chalmers'  brigade  being  oi^  the  right,  the  19th  and  21st  Alaba- 
ma, and  the  2nd  Texas,  on  the  left,  Colonel  Moore,  of  the  2nd  Texas, 
being  in  command  of  the  left.  Robertson's  baftery  was  placed  in  po- 
sition at  the  edge  of  an  old  field,  with  instructions  to  sweep  the  ene- 
my from  our  front,  and  also  to  aid  some  command  on  the  loft  (be- 
lieved to  be  Anderson's)  which  seemed  to  be  warmly  engaged.  The 
reserve  consisted  of  the  "Crescent  La.,"  Colonel  Martin's  Confederate 
regiment,  and  Maney's  1st  Tcnn.,  with  whatever  other  troops,  from 
time  to  time,  could  be  picked  up.  At  this  time  an  order  was  received 
from  General  Beauregard  to  charge  the  enemy,  in  conjunction  with 
General  Breckinridge.  The  charge  was  made  by  us,  but  General 
Breckinridge  was  neither  there,  nor  subsequently  in  that  portion  of 
the  field.  The  enemy  proved  to  be  in  such  numbers  that  it  became 
necessary  to  bring  our  entire  force  into  action,  and  the  fight  continued 
with  sullen  desperation  for  several  hours,  and  with  alternate  success. 
Between  half  past  2  and  3  o'clock,  finding  that  the  enemy  were  con- 
tent to  hold  their  position,  and  not  advance  on  us,  our  line  of  the 
morning  was  resumed,  the  left  under  the  command  of  the  gallant  Col- 
onel Maney,  of  the  1st  Tennesse  regiment.  Shortly  after  this  an  or- 
der was  received  from  General  Bragg  to  withdraw  the  troops  in  good 
order,  and  form  line  of  battle  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  on  the  right 
branch  of  the  Bark  road.  This  was  done,  and  the  command  slowly 
and  in  good  order  retired  through  two  of  the  enemy's  camps,  not  a 
gun  being  fired,  and  formed  line  of  battle  as  ordered;  the  advanced 
line  under  Colonel  Wheeler;  the  reserve  under  Colonel  Martin,  with 
Colonel  Moore,  of  the  2d  Texas,  to  support  a  battery,  commanding  a 
road  running  to  our  right  and  rear.  The  cavalry  was  thrown  to  our 
front.  Thus  we  remained  until  dark,  the  entire  army,  with  the  e.x- 
ception  of  the  cavalry,  having  retired  from  the  field,  when  we  received 
an  order  from  General  Bragg,  that  holding  the  command  in  readiness 
to  form  line  of  battle  at  any  moment,  we  would  fall  back  to  Meckey's. 
This  order  was  obeyed  ;  Chalmers'  worn  brigade  and  the  Crescent 
regiment  were  permitted  to  pass  on  to  the  rear,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  troops  marched  to  within  about  a  mile  of  Meckey's,  where  they 
were  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wheeler,  who,  throughout 
the  fight,  had  proved  himscif  worthy  of  all  trust  and  confidence — a 
gallant  commander  and  an  accomplished  soldier — and  there  liivoucked 
for  the  night.  After  eleven  o'clock  at  night  wc  arrived  at  Meckey's, 
where  we  found  that  General  Breckinridge  was  in  command  of  what 


208 

has  been  called  tlie  rear  ;:;uard.  With  him,  Colonel  Wheeler,  '.vith 
his  regiment,  the  19th  Alabama,  ^vas  left  on  Tuesday  morning,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  command  marched  back  to  Corinth. 

Though  temporarily  detached,  the  reports  from  Gladden's  brigade 
Tvcre  forwarded  to  division  headquarters.  From  these  and  the  prox- 
imity of  the  brigade  during  the  fight,  abundant  evidences  of  the  abil- 
ity and'  gallantry  of  its  commanders  are  furnished.  The  true  and 
tried  Gladden  fell  early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th— the  fearless  Adams 
about  11  1-2  o'clock.  From  that  hour,  during  that  and  the  next  day 
the  brigade  was  ably  commanded  by  Colonel  Deas,  of  the  22d  Ala- 
bama, -vvho,  though  without  a  staff  officer  to  aid  him,  proved  himself 
equal  to  the  occasion,  and  worthy  pf  the  gallant  command  to  which 
he  had  succeeded,  and  which,  although  severely  wounded,  he  contin- 
ued to  hold  through  the  fight. 

The  division  entered  the  fight  sixty-four  hundred  and  eighty- two 
strong,  and  came  out  with  an  aggregate  loss  of  nineteen  hundred  and 
eighteen,  apportioned  among  t.ie  several  brigades  as  follows: 

Gladdcn's — 129  killed;  507  wounded;   103  missing; 
Chalmers'-*  82     "  343         '<_-«' 

Jackson's-^  80     "  3G5         "  213 

thus  furnishing  stern  but  sad  evidence  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
command  discharged  its  duty. 

In  the  fight  on  Sunday  Captain  D.  E.  linger,  Assistant  Adjutant 
General,  Provisional  Army ;  Lieutenant  B.  M.  Thomas,  C.  S.  A., 
Acting  Inspector  General;  Lieutenant  D.  F.  Withers,  A.  D.  C,  and 
V^olunteer  Aids,  11.  W.  Withers,  S.  B.  Howe,  William  Williamson, 
and  L.  E.  Smith,  discharged  the  duties  of  their  respective  positions 
with  active  zeal  and  gallantry.  Through  the  fight  on  Monday,  Cap- 
tain linger,  Lieutenant  Thomas,  and  Volunteer  Aid,  B.  W.  Withers, 
were  all  tlie  staff  present  on  the  right,  the  others  having  become  sepa- 
rated Sunday  evening,  and  each  more  than  sustained  the  reputation 
gained  the  day  before.  Major  Reynolds,  of  the  2d  Texas,  volunteer- 
ed as  a  staff  officer  when  the  Division  Commander  was  temporarily 
alone,  and  performed  gallant  and  efficient  service. 

To  Mr.  Lafayette  Veal,  a  noble  and  patriotic  citizen  of  Tennessee, 
this  command  and  the  country  are  indebted  for  laborious  and 
indispensable  services,  in  guiding  our  right  under  constant  fire 
down  Lick  creek  and  tiie  Tennessee  river,  to  within  half  a  mile 
of  Pittsburg. 

Brigade  and  regimental  reports  were  duly  forwarded,  and  the 
causes  which  have  delayed  the  handing  in  of  this  report,  are  known 
to  the  Commanding  General. 

I  am,  ^lajor, 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  M.  WITHERS, 
Brigadier  General,  Commandivg  Division. 
Major  Geo.  G.  Gauneii, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  Q.  LOOMIS,  COMMANDING  FIRST 

BRIGADE. 


Camp  near  Corintfi,  Miss.,  ) 
i\pril  13th,  1862.      \ 

D.  E.   HUGF.R, 

Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Sir:  HereTvitli  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  such  of  the  reports  as- 
I  have  been  able  to  procure  from  the  regimental  commanders. 

To  attempt  a  report  of  the  brigade,  would  be  a  difficult  work  upon 
my  part.  The*  officers  who  commanded  during  the  engagement,  are 
either  killed  or  wounded;  and  those  upon  whom  the  labor  should  more 
properly  devolve,  and  who  could  moro  properly  speak  of  the  action  of 
the  brigade,  are  absent. 

We  engaged  the  enemy  at  seven  and  a-half  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the 
6th  instant,  under  command  of  General  Gladden,  and  in  a  short  time, 
while  leading  a  charge  upon  the  enemy's  lines  and  battery,  that  gal- 
lant officer  received  a  wound,  of  which  he  has  since  died.  In  his  death, 
our  country  has  sustiiined  a  serious  loss.  He  was  one  of  nature's 
noblemen,  a  good  soldier,  an  accomplished  gentleman,  and  a  true 
patriot.  Long  will  his  name  live  in  the  memory  of  those  whom  he  so 
gallantly  led  against  our  enemy's  forces.  About  this  time  too.  Major 
Armstead,  of  22nd  Alabama  regiment  fell,  a  true  patriot  and  bravo 
soldier,  in  the  full  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  position.  While  we- 
pause  to  drop  a  tear  of  sorrow  upon  his  grave,  let  us  be  encouraged; 
to  emulate  his  brave  deeds. 

After  General  Gladden  was  wounded,  the  command  devolved  upon 
Colonel  Adams,  of  the  1st  Louisiana  infantry,  who  continued  ini 
charge,  doing  deeds  of  noble  daring,  until  about  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  wheni 
he  fell  severely  wounded.  Colonel  Deas  of  the  22nd  Alabama,  then 
took  command  for  the  rest  of  the  day,  receiving  several  wounds,  but 
still  remaining  upon  the  field,  deporting  himself  as  a  true  soldier,  ex- 
posing himself  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  winning  the  hearts  of  the 
whole  brigade.  On  Monday,  the  brigade  becoming  disunited,  attached 
themselves  to  different  commands,  but  continued  on  the  field  until  or- 
dered to  retire. 

So  'far  as  came  under  my   observation,  the  officers  deported  them- 
selves as  men,  fighting  nobly   for  all  that  is  most  dear,   "  life,  liberty, 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness."   The  undersigned  hopes  that  in  a  short 
14 


210 

time,  tliose  who  commanded  the  brigade,  may  return  to  their  wonted 
health,  and  be  prepared  to  make  a  report  that  will  do  full  and  ample 
justice  to  a  command  that  bore  itself  so  gallantly  on  the  field. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

J.  Q.  LOOMIS, 
Cvhncl  commanding  \st  Brigade^ 

Withers^  Division. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  DANIEL  W.  ADAMS. 


Corinth,  Miss.,  May  20th,  1862. 

D.   E.   IIUGER, 

A.  A.  G.,  General  Withers'  Division: 

Sir:  As  Colonel  of  the  1st  regiment  of  Louisiana  infantry  In  the 
<;ar]y  part  of  the  day,  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  Gth  of  April, 
186i,  in  command  of  my  regiment,  and  subsequently  in  command  of 
the  brigade  to  which  it  was  attached,  it  was  my  duty  to  have  reported 
to  you  before  this,  but  I  have  been  delayed  by  the  effects  of  the  very 
severe  wound  I  received,  until  the  present  moment. 

As  you  are  aware,  General  Gladden's  brigade,  to  which  my  regiment 
belonged  and  constituted  the  right,  were  attached,  on  the  evening  of 
the  5th  of  April,  to  General  Hardee's  division,  and  was  placed  on  the 
right,  and  in  that  position  went  into  the  battle  on  the  morning  of  the 
(Jth.  As  we  approached  the  enemy,  wc  found  Immediately  in  front  of 
us  the  encampments  of  several  regiments  and  the  headquarters  of 
General  Prentiss,  who  was  in  command  of  that  division  of  their  array. 
Their  line  of  battle  composed  of  infantry,  supported  by  artillery,  wa? 
formed  just  outside  of  their  encampments,  with  dctacliments  of 
sharpshooters  in  the  thick  woodi;  and  bushes  on  our  right.  When  wc 
reached  a  position  of  about  two  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  line.i, 
near  the  hour  of  half  past  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  they  opened  a  very 
heavy  fire  upon  us  with  the  rifled  muskets,  followed  very  soon,  there- 
after, with  the  fire  of  their  artillery.  In  a  very  short  time  after  the  en- 
gagement commenced.  General  Gladden  who  was  gallantly  commanding 
in  the  advance  of  the  brigade,  received  a  very  severe  wound — which 
afterwards  proved  mortal — from  a  cannon  shot,  and  having  to  be  taken 
from  the  field,  relinquished  the  command  of  the  brigade  in  my  favor. 
Finding  that  the  enemy  were  then  pouring  a  most  destructive  fire 
upon  us,  I  ordered  a  rapid  advance  of  the  brigade,  to  drive  them  from 
their  cover  and  position  ;  but,  as  we  advanced,  the  fire  became  so  very 
severe,  that  I  found  the  whole  brigade  began  to  falter,  and  finally  to 
fall  back.  Fearing  the  worst  consequences,  I  rode  to  the  color-bearer 
of  the  1st  regiment,  Louisiana  infantry,  the  command  of  which  I  ha  I 
turned  over  to  Major  Farrar.  and  seizing  the  battle  flag,  placed  myself 
in  front  of  the  brigade  and  called  upon  them  to  follow  me,  which  thoy  drd 
with  great  alacrity  ;  and  leading  them  close  to  the  enemv'fl  lines,  I 
ordered  a  charge,  which  was  promptly  and  eflfectivcly  executed.     The 


212 

enemy  was  driven  from  their  position,  and  retreated  very  rapidly,  Fal-^ 
lowing  them,  Ave  took  possession  of  the  encampment  and  of  General 
Prentiss'  headquarters,  and  some  of  the  privates  of  the  Louisiana 
rciment  seized  and  secured  seven  stand  of  colors.  During  our  ad- 
vance and  the  charge,  Captain  Robertson's  battery  of  artillery,  attached 
to  the  brigade,  opened  on  the  enemy  with  great  power  and  effect,  and 
greatly  aided  in  accoraplishinp:  the  enemy's  defeat.  Shortly  after  we 
had  driven  the  enemy  from  this  encampment  and  taken  poss3ssion,  I 
formed  the  line  of  battle  on  the  other  side  of  it,  for  a  further  advance. 
The  enemy  reappeared  at  a  distance  of  some  three  or  four  hundred 
yards,  and  apparently,  and  as  reported  to  me,  largely  reinforced, 
formed  the  line  of  battle,  and  commenced  advancing  on  us,  opening  at 
the  same  time  with  their  artillery.  I  immediately  ordered  Captain 
Robertson's  battery  up,  which  was  rapidly  placed  in  position  and  re- 
turned the  enemy's  fire  with  such  promptness  and  great  effect,  that  it 
drove  them  from  their  guns  and  caused  them  to  abandon  their  battery, 
which  wo  afterwards  took  possession  of.  About  this  time,  General 
Hardee  and  staff  passed,  and  the  General  instructed  me  to  throw  out 
some  companies  in  advance  as  skirmishers,  to  see  if  the  enemy  were 
really  in  front  of  us,  in  large  force,  and  to  avoid  collision  with  our 
friends ;  which  I  did,  and  found  that  the  representations  were 
correct,  and  that  the  enemy  was  being  reinforced  and  advancing 
on  our  position.  At  this  time,  I  received  an  order  from  General 
l^ragg  to  advance  with  the  brigade,  and  would  have  done  so 
immediately,  but  found  that  many  of  the  men  in  the  command,  had 
nearly  exhausted  their  ammunition.  As  soon  as  this  deficiency  wa* 
supplied,  I  ordered  an  advance,  when  the  divisions  of  Generals 
(/heatham  and  Breckinridge  coming  up  to  my  right  and  left,  and  ad- 
vancing, a  portion  of  their  forces  were  so  interposed  between  my  com- 
mand and  the  enemy's,  that  when  within  range,  I  received  a  message- 
so  requesting  me,  and  was  constrained  to  halt  and  remain  in  that  posi- 
tion for  over  an  hour. 

During  this  time,  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  again  with  their  artillery, 
Avhen  I  directed  Captain  Robertson  to  return  their  fire,  which  he  did 

with  great  effect.     Captain battery  of  artillery,  also  came  up' 

and  rendered  valuable  services  and  assistance.  Awaiting  a  change  of 
position  that  could  allow  me  to  advance,  and  riding  down  the  line  of 
the  brigade  about  the  hour  of  half  past  two  o'clock,  I  received  a  very 
nevere  wound  from  a  rifle  ball  in  the  head,  which  caused  rac  to  be  taken 
from,  the  field,  and  1  had  to  relinquish  the  command  to  Colonel  Zack 
Deas  pf  the  22nd  Alabama  regiment. 

During  the  time  that  I  was  in  comnwind  of  the  1st  Louisiana  regi- 
m.ent,  and  the  brigade,  the  officers  and  men  generally,  acted  with  great 
gallantry  and  courage,  and  the  brigade  is  entitled  to  eredit  for  having 
carried  one  of  the  enemy's  strongest  positions. 

Very  respectfully, 
(Signed,)  DANIEL  W.  ADAMS, 

Colonel  \si  regiment  Louisiana  infantry^. 


RErORT  OF  COLONEL  Z.  C.  DEAS. 


Mobile,  April  25th,  1862. 

To  D.  E.  IIUOER, 

Captain  and  A.  A.  General,  Corinth,  Miss.  : 

Captain  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  on  the  morning  of  tho 
6th  April,  thisJprigade,  composed  of  the  1st  Louisiana  Infantry,  Col. 
D.  W.  Adams,^lst  Alabama,  Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  W.  Cayce,  22ni 
Alabama,  Colonel  Z,  C.  Deas,  25th  Alabama,  Colonel  J.  Q.  Loomis, 
26th  Alabama,  Colonel  Coltart,  and  Robertson's  battery.  Captain 
Robertson,  under  command  of  Brigadier  General  Gladden,  moved  out 
of  camp,  marching  in  line  of  battle,  and  shortly  after  7  o'clock,  came 
upon  the  enemy,  when  the  engagement  commenced.  One  of  th:ir 
batteries  was  playing  upon  us  with  effect,  but  in  a  short  time  Robert- 
son's battery  was  brought  on  cur  side,  which  soon  silenced  theirs. 
We  tben  charged,  driving  the  enemy  flying  through  their  camp,  la 
this  charge  several  colors  were  captured. 

Just  before  this  charge  was  made.  General  Gladden,  while  glorious- 
ly sustaining  the  reputation  won  in  Mexico,  at  the  head  of  the  im- 
mortal Palmetto  regiment,  received  a  wound  from  a  cannon  ball  which 
proved  fatal. 

Beyond  this  camp,  the  brigade,  now  under  command  of  Colonel 
Adams,  was  halted,  and  after  a  time  a  battery,  stationed  near  their 
next  camp,  opened  upon  us,  Avhich  was  responded  to  by  Robertson's, 
and  after  a  sharp  contest,  silenced. 

Orders  were  now  received  to  move  forward,  in  support  of  General 
Chalmers,  and  while  here,  the  gallant  Adams,  when  encouraging  hi^  .- 
men,  by  his  reckless  daring  and  apparent  contempt  of  tlie  missfles  of 
death,  flying  thick  around  him,  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  head. 

The  command  of  the  brigade  now  devolved  upon  me,  without  instruc- 
tions, without  a  staff  ofliccr,  or  even  one  of  ray  own  regiment  mounted 
to  assist  me.  I  moved  forward  to  aid  where  I  could,  and  before 
proceeding  far,  came  up  with  General  Breckinridge,  who  was  warmly 
engaged  on  ray  right.  I  immediately  advanced  to  his  assistance.  Tho 
fire  here  was  very  severe,  and  I  sent  back  for  the  2Gth  Alabama  to 
come  up  (which  thoy  failed  to  do),  and  also  for  a  battery,  v.hich  was 
brought  up  promptly,  and  witli  this  assistance,  after  a  hard  and  long 
continued  struggle,  we  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  back.  At  this 
point  General  Bragg  ctime  up  and  ordered  me  to  change  direction. 
Obliquing  to  the  left,  in  &  short  time  I    came  upon  the   enemy  again 


S14 

fir.xw:i  up  som?  di^t.mco  in  fr.^rit  of  aaothor  camp,  an  I  after  a  sitort, 
bit  vi>ry  sharp  en ^a^em^nt,  <lrove  tham  before  m?,  pursuing  tbem  to 
their  camp,  where  I  assisted  in  capturing  a  large  number. 

Here,  in  the  hot  pursuit,  the  21st  and  25th  Alabama  became  sepa- 
rated from  me  in  the  wood?,  and  before  I  had  time  to  find  them,  I  re- 
ceived an  order  from  General  Withers  to  form  on  the  extreme  left, 
v/here  I  remained  until  night  came  on,  and  then  attempted  to  get  back 
to  the  camp  I  had  left,  but  got  into  a  different  one.  jNIy  men  being 
noT  completely  exhausted,  and  not  having  had  anything  to  eat  since 
morning,  I  encamped  here  for  the  night. 

On  inspection  I  found  I  had  under  my  command  only  the  1st  Louis- 
iana infantry  and  the  22d  Alabama,  numbering  respectively  ID]  and 
123  men,  with  about  an  average  of  fifteen  rounds  of  ammunition, 
although  both  regiments  had  replenished  during  the  day. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  I  sent  Captain  R.  I.  Hill 
to  hunt  for  General  Withers'  division,  and  also  to  get  information. 
He  soon  returned,  and  reported  tliat  the  enemy  were  advancing,  I 
immediately  marched  over  and  formed  on  the  left  of  '«  division  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Russell,  Under  his  orders  we  advanced,  but  per- 
ceiving the  enemy's  skirmishers  on  our  left  and  rear,  fell  back  to  our 
first  position.  While  here  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  with  artillery, 
when  we  moved  beyond  tlie  crest  of  a  hill,  and  I  placed  my  command 
i!i  support  of -a  battery  where  I  remained  until  I  received  orders  from 
(roneral  Bragg  to  attack  a  force  on  my  left,  V/hilc  marching 
to  thi.s  attack.  I  was  joinc<l  by  the  4th  Kentucky,  and  with  these  frag- 
ments of  regiments,  numbering;  together  less  than  five  hundred,  I 
attacked  two  lirigades,  but  after  continuing  this  unequal  contest  for 
nearly  half  an  hour,  and  nearly  one  half  of  my  command  had  been 
killed  or  woundeil,  I  gave  the  order  to  fall  back,  which  was  done  m 
good  order.  T  now  formed  and  moved  forward  again,  with  the  rem- 
nant of  my  brigade  (now  reduced  to  about  sixty  nien),  in  the  last  at- 
tack under  (ireneral  Beauregard.  Here  my  second  horse  was  killed, 
:tnd  I,  having  been  wounded  some  time  previously,  was  unable  to 
march. 

The  indomitable  courage  and  perseverance  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  this  brigade,  the  willingness  and  gallantry  with  which  they  advanced 
to  the  attuck  when  called  upon,  after  having  endured  almost 
tuperliuman  fiitigues  in  the  desperate  and  long  continued  struggles  of 
Sunday  and  Monday,  are  deserving  of  the  highest  encomiums.  Where 
so  many  acted  noltly,  it  might  appear  invidious  to  particularize,  but 
impartiality  compels  me  to  record  as  first  in  the  fight,  the  1st  Louisiana 
infantry  and  22d  Alabama, 

1  wish  here  to  call  the  attention  of  my  superiors  to  such  field  offi- 
cers as  especially  distinguished  themselves  under  my  iuimcdiate  super- 
vision, for  their  coolness  and  gallant  bearing  under  the  hottest  fire. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  F.  C.  Marrast,  22d  Alabama,  Major  F,  H.  Farrar, 
1st  Louisiana  infantry,  and  Major  Geo.  D,  Johnston,  25th  Alabama, 
and  also  to  Adjutants  Kent,  1st  Louisiana,  Stout,  25th  Alabama, 
Travis,  22d  Alabama,  and  Sergeant  Major  Nott,  22d  Alabama,  acting 
a3  aids,  for  their  gallantry  aud  bravery  in  extending  my  orders.     This 


report  is  written  without  having  received  any  of  the  regimental  reports, 
and  without  being  able  to  consult  with  any  of  the  officers,  which  will 
account  for  my  not  mentioning  all  the  officers  of  this  brigade  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves  on  the  field  of  Shiloh.  For  this  information 
I  beg  respectfully  to  refer  to  the  regimental  reports,  and  also  to  refer 
to  document  A  for  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
I  am,  Captain,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.   C.   DEAS, 
CoL  Com''g.  \st  Brigade,  Withers'  Division. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL   DEAS,  OF   THE   OPERATIONS   OF 
THE  TWENTY-SECOND  ALABAMA  REGIMENT. 


Headquarters  22d  Alabama  Regiment,  P.  A.,  ) 
Corinth,  Miss.,  April  11th,  1862.      ) 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  morning  of  6th 
instant,  about  6  o'clock,  under  orders  of  General  Gladden,  I  moved 
my  regiment  out  of  camp,  numbering  404  rifles  and  31  officers,  and 
forming  a  part  of  General  Gladden's  Brigade.  Marching  in  line  of 
battle,  at  about  7  o'clock,  we  came  upon  the  enemy,  drawn  up  in  front 
of  their  camp,  where  they  opened  fire  upon  us,  with  their  infantry  and 
a  battery  of  artillery,  to  which  we  responded.  Robertson's  battery 
was  brought  into  action,  which  soon  silenced  theirs,  and  shortly  after- 
wards, the  enemy  wavered,  and  we  charged  over  their  dismantled  guns, 
driving  them  through  their  camp,  where  wc  halted  to  reform,  and  after 
a  short  time  they  again  opened  upon  us  with  another  battery,  which 
was  silenced  by  our  batteries.  We  then  moved  forward  a  few  hundred 
yards,  and  halted  in  support.  Here  Colonel  Adams,  who  was  in  com- 
mand, (General  Gladden  having  been  very  seriously  wounded  by  a 
cannon  ball  in  the  first  engagement,)  was  seriously  wounded,  and  the 
command  of  the  brigade  devolving  upon  me,  Lieutenant-Coloiiel 
Marrast  took  command  of  my  regiment,  and  will  finish  this  report. 
Major  R,  B.  Armistead  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  first  engagement, 
but  he  fell  where  every  brave  soldier  should  be  found  to  fall — in  the 
front  rank,  doing  his  whole  duty,  and  urging  his  men  on  to  victory. 
In  him  his  country  has  lost  a  most  intelligent  and  gallant  officer. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  a  DEAS, 
Colonel  Commanding. 


RErORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  S.  W.  CAYCE. 


Headquarters  21st  Regiment,  Al.v.  Vol's, 
Corinth,  Miss.,  April  13th,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  J.  Stout, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  annexed,  a  tabular  statement  of 
the  loss  sustained  by  my  command,  (21st  Alabama  volunteers,)  in  the 
late  battle  near  Monterey,  on  the  6th  and  7th  inst,,  amounting  in  the 
aggregate  to  198  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

Called  suddenly  from  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  to  the  command  of  the 
regiment,  having  only  been  placed  in  charge  by  General  Gladden,  on 
the  5th  instant,  I  would  especially  express  my  sense  of  the  great  as- 
sistance rendered  me  by  IMajor  Stewart,  and  senior  Captain  John  F. 
Jenett,  acting  as  field  officers,  who,  throughout  the  whole  fight  fully 
sustained  themselves  as  brave  and  gallant  officers.  In  point  of  fact, 
late  Sunday  evening  (when  I  had  the  misfortune  to  have  my  horse 
shot,  bruising  my  foot  much,  and  causing  me  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  from  whom,  however,  I  was  fortunately  soon  rescued,)  and 
Monday  morning,  the  regiment  was  under  the  ^lajor's  command. 

When  all  did  eo  well,  it  would  seem  invidious  to  make  any  distinc- 
tions; nevertheless,  I  would  mention  Lieutenant  Parker,  acting  Adju- 
tant; Captains  Chamberlain  and  Stewart,  Lieutenants  Rogers,  Wil- 
liams and  Savage,  as  particularly  active  in  the  discharge  of  their 
several  duties. 

The  men,  as  a  general  thing,  behaved  with  great  steadiness,  though 
exposed  at  times,  to  a  perfect  hurricane  of  shot  and  shell.  No  less 
than  five  men  having  fallen  as  color-bearers.  The  movements  of  the 
command  having  all  been  by  brigade  ;  ordered  by  brigade  command- 
ants, and  executed  under  their  supervision.  I  do  not  deem  it  neces- 
sary to  rehearse  them. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant. 

S.  W\  CAYCE, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  commanding  2\st  Alabama  Volunteers. 


V 


213 

Colonel  LooMis, 

Commanding  \st  Brigade : 

The  undersigned  having  tendered  his  resignation,  the  acceptance  of 
which,  however,  was  not  received  until  after  the  fight,  and  having 
been  in  command  as  stated  in  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cajce, 
does  hereby  respectfully  concur  in  said  report,  and  endorses  its  recom- 
mendations. 

F.  STEWART, 
iMte  Major  2\st  Alabama  Vohinteers. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  J.  C.  MARRAST. 


Headquarters  22nd  Ai.akama  Regiment,  P.  A.,  } 
CoRiXTii,  Miss.,  April  12th,  1862.       \ 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  about  eleven  and  a-half 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  Sunday,  April  6th,  the  command  of  this  regiment  de- 
volved upon,  me  in  consequence  of  the  •wounding  of  the  gallant  Colonel 
Adams,  1st  Louisiana  regiment,  and  the  succession  of  Colonel  Deas, 
to  the  command  of  the  Gladden  Brigade.  Colonel  Adams  fell  at  11  1-2 
o'clock,  whilst  the  two  regiments  were  under  cover,  the  enemy  firing 
upon  us  with  artillery  and  infantry.  We  advanced  from  that  position 
through  one  of  the  enemy's  camps  into  a  hollow,  from  Avhich  point  wo 
discovered  the  enemy  in  houses  on  the  hill  beyond.  Colonel  Deas 
ordered  me  to  send  two  companies  to  dislodge  them,  whereupon,  Captain 
Weedon,  in  command  of  his  company  A,  and  Captain  Nott,  of  company 
B,  gallantly  charged  the  enemy,  and  driving  him  before  them.  The 
regiment  then  closed  upon  the  houses,  and  occupied  them,  as  a  cover, 
for  about  one  houTj  and  did  the  enemy  much  damage,  who  was  throw- 
ing a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  infantry  upon  us.  Our  loss  in  this 
engagement  was  very  severe.  We  then  charged  upon  the  enemy's 
position,  driving  him  before  us  about  four  or  five  hundred  yards,  when 
he  made  another  stand,  pouring  into  us  a  heavy  fire.  We  were  then 
halted  in  support  of  our  artillery,  and  kept  as  much  as  possible  under 
cover,  but  our  loss  in  this  aff'air  also,  was  considerable.  Captain  A, 
L.  Gaines,  of  company  C,  was  here  killed,  gallantly  leading  his  com- 
pany. From  this  position,  the  enemy  were  finally  driven  back,  and 
retreated  beyond  their  camps,  when  the  regiment  was  halted  and 
ordered  into  camp  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  April, 
(Monday)  at  daylight,  I  formed  my  regiment,  numbering  1  field  and  IS 
company  officers,  and  124  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 
This  re^^iment,  together  with  the  1st  Louisiana,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Deas^as  ordered  to  march,  and  form  on  the  extreme  left  of 
the  lino  of  bt^e,  then  being  formed,  in  wliich  position  it  remained 
one  hour.  Orders  being  received  to  advance,  the  regiment  moved  for- 
ward about  three  hundred  yards,  in  the  direction  of  a  point  occupied 
by  the  enemy's  batteries,  then  playing,  without  effect,  upon  us.  Wc 
then  halted  in  a  hollow  under  cover.  From  this  po.'jition,  I  threw  out 
a  skirmishing  party  of  twenty  men,  under  command  of  Captain  Hart, 
of  company  K.  A  few  minutes  thereafter,  wc  were  ordered  to  fall  back, 
the  skirmishers  not  hearing  the  call  to  return,  Lieutenant  Wood,  of 


220 

company  I,  vritli  two  men,  were  ordered  up  the  slope  of  the  hill  to 
warn  them,  >Yhich  party  has  not  since  been  heard  from  and  are  sup- 
posed to  be  prisoners.  Captain  Hart's  party  returned  to  the  command 
all  safe,  and  reported  not  having  seen  them.  The  regiment  was  then, 
with  the  1  St  Louisiana,  placed  under  cover,  in  support  of  two  of  our  bat- 
teries, where  we  lay  for  about  two  hours,  when  the  whole  fell  back  a 
distance,  perhaps  half  a  mile  ;  when,  the  new  line  of  battle  being 
formed,  my  regiment  again  regained  its  position  on  the  extreme  left, 
and  advanced  towards  the  enemy's  position,  some  three  hundred  yards, 
when  under  cover  of  the  timber,  we  engaged  the  enemy,  for  perhaps 
twenty-five  minutes,  having  been  left  with  the  1st  Louisiana  infan- 
try, isolated  and  alone,  the  main  line  having  fallen  back  to  near  the 
original  place  of  formation.  In  this  affair,  our  loss  being  severe,  we 
were  ordered  by  Colonel  Dcas,  to  fall  back  to  our  position  in  the  line, 
which  was  done  in  good  order.  Very  soon  thereafter,  the  second  ad- 
vance upon  the  enemy's  position  was  attempted,  and  after  advancing 
about  two  hundred  yards,  were  halted.  Placing  my  men  under  cover 
of  the  timber,  we  opened  fire  upon  the  enemy,  v/hich  was  sustained 
for  only  a  few  minutes.  Electing  with  a  very  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy, 
our  entire  line  at  this  time  wavered  and  fell  back  again  to  the  original 
position.  Our  lines  being  reformed,  my  regiment  in  its  position  on 
the  left,  we  again  advanced  towards  the  enemy,  some  one  to  two  hun- 
dred yards,  and  very  soon  fell  back  again  under  order.  At  this  time 
Colonel  Deas  was  compelled,  from  loss  of  blood  from  wounds  received 
hours  before,  to  retire  from  the  field,  from  which  time  my  regiment 
was  represented  in  every  movement  made  towards  the  enemy,  and  never 
retired  without  an  order,  and  did  not  leave  the  field  until  the  horses 
and  gunners,  were  removed  from  the  two  pieces  of  Captain  Ketchum's 
battery,  which  had  to  be  abandoned.  Being  informed  by  the  oflicer  in 
command  of  the  battery,  that  he  had  been  deserted  by  the  troops  left 
for  his  support,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  volunteer  the  services  of  my  regi- 
ment, for  his  support.  When  my  command  left  this  position,  not  a 
man  of  our  army  was  in  front  of  us. 

I  beg  to  mention  the  following  officers,  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates,  who  were  particularly  conspicuous  for  soldierly  bearing 
and  bravery,  throughout  the  action  of  two  days: 

Captain  John  Wecdon,  of  company  A. 

Lieutenant  J'.  M.  Whitney,  of  company  A. 

Corporal  Alexander  Inman,  of  company  A,  killed. 

Corporal  S.  V.  Cain,  of  company  A,  wounded. 

Corporal  W.  Sumner,  of  company  A. 

Private  J.  L.  Penesy,  of  company  A. 

Private  J.  J.  Faught,  of  company  A.  w 

Captain  J.  Deas  Nott,  of  company  B. 

Private  Bartlett  Anderson,  of  company  B,  wounded. 

Private  H.  C.  McMillan,  of  company  B. 

Captain  A.  L.  Gaines  of  company  C,  killed. 

Private  Frank  Allen,  of  company  C. 

Private  Wm.  West,  of  company  H. 

Captain  A.  P.  Love,  of  company  I,  wounded. 


221 

First  Sergeant  S.  J.  Skinner,  of  company  I. 
Captain  J.  R.  Northcutt,  of  company  E,  vrounded. 
Sergeant  R.  J.  Moore,  of  company^E,  wounded. 
Corporal  James  M.  Tedder,  of  company  E,  wounded. 
Captain  B.  R.  Hart,  of  company  K. 

Second  Lieutenant  R.  L.  Marick,  of  company  K,  wounded. 
Private  Aaron  Coflfey,  of  company  K. 
Private  Monroe  Brown,  of  company  K, 
Captain  E.  H.  Armistead,  of  company  D. 
Captain  R.  J.  Hill,  A.  Q.  M.,  wounded. 
Adjutant  E.  F.  Travis,  wounded. 
Sergeant- Major  H.  J.  Nott. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant  C.  J.  Michailoffsky. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  MARRAST, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Commanding. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  Q.  LOOMIS. 


CoRiNTU,  Miss.,  13ih  April  1862. 

A.  A.  ul.   General: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  annexed  report  of  the  losses 
sustained  by  the  25th  Alabama  regiment,  in  the  battle  of  the  6th  and 
7th  inst.  Owing  to  the  prevalence  of  the  measles  and  mumps,  I  was 
able  to'take  but  three  hundred  and  five,  (305)  men  in  the  action;  of 
this  number  were  lost  in  l.illed  and  wounded. 

This  regiment  formed  a  part  of  the  1st  brigade  of  Withers'  division 
under  command  of  General  Gladden.  This  report  not  being  intended 
as  an  eulogy  on  the  regiment,  I  will  only  say  it  did  its  duty,  fighting 
side  by  side  with  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  charging  promptly 
when  ordered,  and  in  good  order,  and  only  tailing  back  when  com- 
manded. With  the  brigade,  it  was  engaged  in  every  charge,  and  at- 
tack on  the  Gth ;  and  on  the  7th,  the  brigade  being  disorganized,  the 
regiment  fell  in  with  a  Missouri  regiment,  and  fought  until  the  con- 
clusion af  the  engagement, 

1  remained  in  command  of  the  regiment  until  4  o'clock,  on  the  Gtli, 
assisted  greatly  by  my  Major,  Geo.  D.  Johnston,  and  Adjutant  Stout, 
whose  coolness  and  intrepidity  upon  the  field,  is  worthy  of  all  praise. 
About  4  o'clock,  I  received  a  wound  upon  the  head  from  a  musket 
ball,  doing  very  slight  external  injury,  but  producing  a  concussion  of 
the  brain,  and  rendering  me  unfit  for  commanding  during  the  rest  of 
the  engagement. 

Major  Johnston  then  took  command,  and  led  the  regiment  gallantly 
through  the  fight.  •» 

Three  stands  of  colors  wore  captured  from  the  enemy — one  was 
presented  by  Major  Johnston,  to  Gen.  llardee,  upon  the  field,  the 
other  two  were  thoughtlessly  torn  up  by  the  men,  and  taken  as  me- 
mentoes of  the  battle.  The  officers,  most  of  them,  bore  themselves 
gallantly  upon  the  field. 

Capt.  Costcllo,  Lieuts.  Smith  and  Slaughter  deserve  especial  men- 
tion.    Sergeant  Scoficld  captured  two  flags.     Private   Vaun   was  the 


223 

first  at  a  battery,  and  took  the  colorbearer'a  horse.     Numbers  of  such 
incidents  might  be  mentioned,  if  necessary,  but  all  (Hd  well — a  noble 
rivalry  existed  of  who  should  do  most,  and  the  whole  brigade  acquitteci, 
themselves  as  men  should,  who    were    flighting    for  their  homes  and 
firesides. 

1  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  ob't  serv't, 

J.  Q.  LOOMIS, 
CvL  25th  Ecgi7n  nt,  Ala.,  P.  A. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WM.  D.  CIIADWICK. 


Headquarters  26tii  Ala.  Reg.,  ) 

April  12th,  1962.      \ 

To  Major  C.  D.  Anderson, 

A.  A.  Gen    \st  brigade,  Withers''  Division,  Army  of  the  Miss.  : 

Sir  :  In  the  ahsence  of  the  Colonel  commanding,  it  becomes  my 
duty  to  report  the  action  of  this  regiment  in  the  battle  of  the  6th  and 
7th  instant.  Our  position  was  on  the  left  of  Gladden's  brigade,  joining 
the  right  of  General  Hardee's  command.  The  regiment  entered  the 
engagement  exceedingly  \Ycaried  and  without  breakfast.  I  was  ordered 
on  leaving  the  city,  the  3rd  instant,  to  bring  up  the  rear  of  the  brigade, 
and  take  cliarge  of  the  baggage  train.  The  miserable  condition  of  the 
roads  caused  an  almost  incessant  bogging  of  the  overloaded  wagons. 
It  was,  therefore,  late  at  night  when  we  reached  Monterey,  where  we 
were  joined  by  Colonel  Coltart,  who,  for  the  first  time  took  command. 
We  were  scarcely  quiet  in  our  bivouac,  when  we  were  disturbed  by  a 
heavy  shower.  The  foljowing  night  was  spent  in  the  same  manner, 
and  with  less  rest.  On  the  5th  we  reached  our  line  of  battle,  in  front 
of  the  enemy's  camp.  After  having  rested  in  place  a  few  hours  we 
were  ordered  on  picket  duty.  The  night  was  spent  without  sleep. 
Returning  to  the  line  of  battle  a  little  after  daylight,  we  were  ordered 
forward  without  a  moment's  halt.  On  reaching  the  scene  of  action, 
the  regiment  was  momentarily  thrown  in  rear  of  our  brigaile,  by  the 
troops  on  our  left  precipitately  rushing  in  before  us  while  we  were 
crossing  a  marsh'.  A  perplexing  confusion  ensued,  which  it  Avas  evident 
could  only  be  remedied  by  moving  up  on  the  right  of  our  own  brigade, 
which  was  done,  without  an  order  from  General  Gladden,  as  we  were 
unable  to  obtain  one.  We  occupied  the  only  available  space  in  the 
line,  and  in  a  few  moments  were  hotly  engaged,  contributing  a  full 
share  to  the  driving  back  of  the  enemy.  When  the  charge  was  made 
upon  the  line,  and  into  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  the  26th  was  among 
the  first  to  penetrate  them.  Passing  through  the  camp,  Ave  were  halted 
in  rear  of  the  tents  along  a  line  of  tents,  immediately  beneath  the 
path  of  a  terrific  cannonading  between  our  own  and  the  enemy's  bat- 
teries. There  Major  Gwyne  was  wounded  by  an  exploding  shell. 
After  remaining  in  this  position  for  nearly  an  hour,  and  having  regained 
our  proper  position  in  our  own  brigade,  we  were  ordered  forward,  and 


225 

again  engaged  the  enemy  about  500  yanls  in  advance  of  llie  position 
first  mentioned.  The  conflict  was  severe  for  a  short  time,  when  the 
enemy  falling  back,  moved  to  our  left.  The  regiment  made  a  corres- 
ponding movement  to  prev<jnt  his  flanking  us.  Here  we  were  exposed 
to  a  heavy  fire  from  the  eneKiy's  batteries  and  small  arms  without  being 
able  to  return  it,  owing  to  the  position  of  one  of  our  own  batteries, 
which  had  fallen  back  from  the  high  ground  in  advance  of  us,  and 
taken  position  immediately  in  our  front.  Aftev  remaining  15  or  20 
minutes  in  this  position,  we  again  moved  to  the  right,  and  advancing 
to  the  margin  of  an  open  field,  found  ourselves  again  in  the  midst  of  a 
severe  conflict.  Here  Colonel  Coltart  was  wounded  and  the  regiment 
suffered  seriously.  The  Colonel  being  compelled  to  retire,  and  Major 
Gwyne  having  been  disabled,  I  was  left  without  the  aid  of  any  field 
officer.  Our  firing  was  continued  briskly  until  the  Colonel  retarned, 
having  had  his  wound  dressed.  He  was  able  to  remain  but  a  few 
moments.  Seeing  the  exhausted  condition  of  the  regiment  he  ordered, 
or  rather  advised  me,  to  withdraw  it  from  the  field.  I  resolved,  how- 
ever, to  continue  as  long  as  the  remainder  of  the  command  was  able 
to  contribute  any  thiiig  to  what  I  regarded  as  m  approaching  triumph. 
The  enemy's  fire  having  ceased  for  a  time,  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  rest  in  place  for  a  few  minutes,  after  which  I  determined  to  advance. 
Just  at  this  time,  however,  I  was  officially  informed  that  General 
Shaflfer's  brigade  was  to  come  by  the  road,  VYhich  lay  beyond  the  open 
field,  immediately  in  my  front  and  parallel  with  its  eastern  margin.  1 
at  once  determined  to  report  this  to  Colonel  Deas,  then  in  command  of 
our  brigade,  and  with  his  concurrence  to  remain  in  the  position  until 
Shaffer's  brigade  should  approach,  and  then  move  in  co-operation  with 
it.  I  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Deas  to  do  so.  Watching  the  road 
narrowly,  I  discovered  a  column  of  at  least  two  regiments  approaching 
by  the  designated  road.  On  viewing  them  minutely,  aided  by  Major 
Mumford,  of  General  Johnston's  staff,  I  found  them  to  be  Federal 
troops.  They  halted  immediately  in  my  front,  advanced  to  the  fence 
and  some  houses,  and  opened  a  severe  fire  upon  us.  Feeling  assured 
that  the  regiments  of  our  brigade  on  our  right  had  advanced  or  would 
do  so,  I  resolved  to  charge  the  enemy  and  drive  them  from  the  fence 
and  houses  just  mentioned,  provided  I  could  get  any  support  on  my 
left  that,  would  prevent  their  flanking  me.  The  gallant  Colonel  Forrest 
offered  his  support.  The  charge  was  made  and  the  enemy  driven  from 
the  position.  The  position  of  the  cavalry,  however,  on  my  left  in  a 
tangled  wood,  prevented  their  rendering  the  assistance  which  they 
would  otherwise  have  done.  The  regiment  on  my  right  did  not  fire  a 
gun  while  I  remained  in  the  position.  We,  however,  maintained  it 
long  enough  to  fire  about  ten  rounds,  suffering  at  the  same  time  the 
mo.Ht  teirific  fire  from  the  enemy  in  our  front  and  from  both  flanks  of 
his  column,  lie  also  turned  his  art'llery  upon  the  houses,  about  which 
we  were  sheltered.  Having  only  about  200  men  left,  ^m\  seeing  that 
they  must  all  be  sacrificed  if  I  remained  without  gaining  any  material 
advantage,  I  withdrew  them  to  a  road  in  rear  of  the  field  and  awaited 
orders,  tlie  men  being  quite  exhausted.  Finding  no  one  to  whom  I 
could  report,  I  then  moved  back  to  the  enemy'*?  camp  near  where  we 
15 


226" 

had  entered  it  in  the  forenoon.     This  was  about  4  o'cloct,  P.  M.   Col-  * 
onel  Coltart  was  able  to  join  us  at  that  place,  and  ordered  the  regiment 
a  few  hundred  yards  further  back,  where  we  spent  the  night. 

Monday  morning,  April  7th,  Colonel  Coltart's  condition  compelled 
him  to  leave  the  regiment  for  Corinth.  The  regiments  of  our  brigade 
having  been  scattered,  I  was  ordered  by  General  Withers  to  report 
to  Brigadier  General  Chalmers.  We  went  into  battle  in  his  brigade. 
Attacks  of  sickness,  extreme  exhaustion,  and  in  some  cases  a  want  of 
moral  courage,  had  reduced  our  number  to  less  than  150  men.  With 
these  we  went  into  battle,  but  with  very  little  efficiency,  owing  to  the 
physical  exhaustion  of  the  men  and  the  condition  of  our  arms. 

After  retiring  from  the  last  engagement  of  the  day  previous,  I  had 
ordered  the  men  to  load  their  pieces  which  had  been  discharged, 
and  the  unexpected  rain  of  the  previous  night  had  wet  the  loads,  so 
that  many  of  them  could  not  be  fired.  I  had  not  a  ball-screw  in  the 
regiment  and  could  not  extract  them.  Owing  to  these  circumstances  my 
men  were  exceedingly  dispirited,  though  they  obeyed  every  order,  and 
the  most  of  them  did  the  best  they  could.  After  engaging  the  enemy 
twice,  I  reported  the  condition  of  my  men  and  arms  to  General 
Withers,  who  ordered  me  to  retire  with  them  and  remove  the  impedi- 
ments of  the  guns  as  best  I  could.  I  ordered  the  guns  unbreeched 
and  cleaned,  which  was  promptly  done  and  I  reported  for  orders.  By 
this  time,  however,  the  firing  had  ceased  along  the  whole  line  or  nearly 
so,  and  our  forces  were  being  withdrawn.  I  was  ordered  into  a  line  of 
battle  fronting  the  enemy's  camp,  where  I  remained  until  the  troops 
moved  towards  Corinth,  and  was  among  the  regiments  that  brought  up 
the  rear  of  the  column. 

The  commissioned  officers  of  my  regiment,  with  two  or  three  excep- 
tions, behaved  themselves  in  a  manner  worthy  of  themselves  and  the 
glorious  cause  which  they  defended.  The  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates  of  the  regiment,  with  an  exception  of  a  number  for  whose 
whereabouts  I  am  not  able  to  account,  fought  bravely  to  the  last. 

We  went  into  the  action  of  the  6th,  with  440  men. 
•  Enclosed  document  A  reports  the  number  of  killed-  and  wounded. 

Enclosed  document  B  reports  the  number  of  guns  lost  and  taken,  with 
the  circumstances  attending. 

WM.  D.  CHADWICK, 
Lt.  Col.  Comd'g,  %Qth  Ala.  Megimeni. 


REPORT  OF  THE  ACTION  OF"  THE  SECOND  BRIGADE 
BRIGADIER  GENERAL  JAMES  R.  CHALMERS,  COM- 
MANDING. 


Headquarteus  Second  l>RiGAt)E,  Second  Conips,  ^ 

Army  of  the  Miasissippi,  > 

Corinth,  Mississipfi,  April  12,   18G2,      ) 

Captain:  I  respectfully  submit  the  following  report  of  the  action, 
of  the  troops  under  my  commancl,  in  the  late  engagement  with  the  • 
enemy  near  Pittsburg,  on  the  Ternessee  river: 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  instant,  while  in  command  of  the 
advanced  forces,  at  Monterey,  Tennessee,  I  received  orders  to  hold  my 
command  read}''  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice ;  and,  on  the  morning  of 
the  5th,  we  crossed  Lick  creek,  and  moved  as  far  as  Meckey's,  on 
what  is  known  as  the  Bark  road,  leading  from  the  direction  of  Corinth 
to  the  Tennessee  river.  In  obedience'  to  orders  my  brigade  was 
under  arms  and  ready  to  march  at  two  o'clock  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, and  stood  from  that  time  until  daylight,  in  a  hard  drenching  rain, 
as  the  orders  to  march  had  been  countermanded  on  account  of  the 
darkness  and  extreme  bad  weather.  At  dawn,  the  first  brigade  of 
this  division,  under  command  of  Brigadier  General  Gladden,  filed  past 
me,  and  we,  falling  into  its  rear,  moved  forward  until  our  march  was 
arrested  by  the  column  of  Major  General  Hardee,  the  rear  of  which 
had  not  got  in  motion  when  we  reached  its  encampment.  After  some 
delay,  Avo  moved  on  to  a  position  about  two  miles  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  line.  On  reaching  the  ground,  I  found  our  line  of  battle 
deployed,  and  General  Gladden's  brigade,  which  it  was  at  first  intended' 
should  be  held  in  reserve  in  the  second  line  on  my  right,  was  deployed 
into  line  of  battle  and  thrown  forward  into  the  first  line  of  battle,  ©n  the- 
right  of  Major  General  Hardee's  command,  to  fill  the  interval  between, 
his  right  and  Lick  creek  ;  and  there  being  still  another  vacancrjr 
between  the  right  of  Geneijal  Gladdcn's  brigade  and  the  creek,  my^ 
brigade  was  extended  in  echelon  in  the  rear  of,  and  to  the  right  of  Gen'E 
Gladden,  and  held  in  line  by  battalions  at  half  distance  doubled  oa 
the  centre.  Upon  an  examination  of  the  country,  it  appeared  to  me- 
that  our  progress  would  be  much  retarded,  if  we  attempted  to  move- 
by  battalion  in  double  column  on  the  centre,  and,  upon  the  sug- 
gestion being  made  to  Brigadier  General  Withers  and  Major  General 
Bragg,  it  was  ordered  that  the  supporting  line  should  move  by  the 


228 

right  of  companies  to  the  front.  In  this  order  -we  commenced  the 
march  early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th.  The  space  between  Owl  and 
Lick  creeks,  was  about  a  half-mile  narrower  where  we  first  deployed 
our  line  of  battle,  than  it  was  in  front  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  as  the 
space  between  General  Gladden's  left  and  Lick  creek  increased  as  we 
advanced,  it  became  necessary  that  my  brigade  should  move  up  into 
the  front  line,  on  the  right  of  General  Gladden,  which  was  done,  and 
being  now  in  the  front  line,  skirmishers  from  each  regiment  were  at 
once  thrown  forward.  In  obedience  to  orders  from  General  Withers 
the  right  of  this  brigade  was  advanced  by  a  gradual  left  wheel,  so  that 
when  we  first  encountered  the  enemy  we  were  marching  in  a  north- 
east direction,  and  met  him  in  line  of  battle  in  front  of  his  first 
encampment  on  our  right.  When  we  arrived  in  sight  our  line  of  battle 
was  formed,  and  the  brigade  moved  steadily  forward  in  the  following 
order:  The  10th  Mississippi  regiment,  in  command  of  Colonel  R.  A. 
Smith,  on  the  right;  the  7th  Mississippi  regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
H.  JMayson  commanding,  second;  the  dt\\  ]\Iississippi  regiment, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  W.  A.  Rankin,  third;  the  5th  Mississippi,  Colonel 
A.  E.  Fant,  fourth  ;  52d  Tennessee,  Colonel  B.  J.  Lea,  on  the  left, 
and  Gage's  battery  light  artillery,  in  the  rear.  When  within  about 
one  hundred  and -fifty  yards  of  the  enemy  the  line  was  halted,  and  a 
heavy  firing  ensued,  in  which  a  number  of  our  men  were  killed  and 
wounded,  and  Colonel  Lea  and  Major  Randle,  of  the  52d  Tennessee 
•regiment,  lost  their  horses.  After  several  rounds  were  discharged, 
the  order  to  charge  bayonets  was  given,  and  the  lUth  Mississippi  regi- 
ment, about  three  hundred  and  sixty  strong,  led  by  its  gallant  Colonel 
dashed  up  the  hill  and  put  to  flight  the  18th  Wisconsin  regiment, 
numbering  nearly  a  thousand  men.  The  order  to  charge  having  been 
given  from  the  right  flank,  where  I  w-as  then  stationed,  was  not  heard 
down  the  line,  and,  consequently,  the  10th  Mississippi  moved  alone 
in  the  first  charge,  though  it  was  quickly  followed  by  the  ^th  and  7th 
Mississippi,  when  the  whole  line  of  the  enemy  broke  and  fled,  pur- 
sued by  these  three  regiments,  through  their  camps  and  across  a 
ravine  about  a  half  a  mile  to  the  opposite  hill,  where  they  were  halted 
by  command  of  General  Johnston.  The  5th  Mississippi  and  52d 
Tennessee,  having  been  left  behind  in  the  charge,  were  moved  up  to 
their  positions,  and  the  5th  Mississippi  was  now  placed  next  to  the 
loth  Mississippi.  The  enemy  was  reiniorced,  and  drew  up  in  our 
front,  supported  by  a  battery  of  artillery  and  some  cavalry.  We  were 
about  to  engage  them  again,  when  we  were  ordered  by^  Gen.  Johnston  to 
fall  back,  which  was  done.  The  enemy,  supposing  that  we  were  in  re- 
treat, fired  several  volleys  of  musketry  at  us,  whereupon,  we  faced 
about,  returned  their  fire,  and  they  ceased  firing.  Being  commanded  to 
remain  here  until  we  should  receive  furtlier  orders,  we  rested  about 
half  an  hour,  when  a  guide,  Mr,  Lafayette  Veal,  was  sent  to  conduct 
us  still  further  to  the  right,  where  we  learned  that  the  enemy  were 
attempting  to  turn  our  flank.  Moving  by  the  right  flank,  we  filed 
to  the  right  directly  south,  until  we  recrossed  the  ravine  behind  us, 
and  when  we  reached  the  summit  of  the  opposite  hill  we  moved  in  a 
south-east  'direction,  until   our  right  rested  upon  the  edge  of  Lick 


229 

creek  bottom.  Here,  again,  we  were  ordered  to  rest,  which  we  did  for 
some  half  hour.  AVhen  we  again  started  forward;  a  few  skirmishers 
of  the  enemy,  having  secretly  advanced,  closed  to  our  left,  fired  upon 
the  52d  Tennessee  regiment,  which  broke  and  fled  in  most  shameful 
confusion.  After  repeated  efforts  to  rally  it,  this  regiment  was  orc'.ered 
out  of  the  lines,  where  it  remained  during  the  balance  of  the  engage- 
ment, Avith  the  exception  of  two  companies,  Captains  J.  A.  Russell 
and  A.  A.  Wilson,  Avho,  with  their  commands,  fought  gallantly  in  the 
ranks  of  the  5th  Mississippi  regiment.  When  the  orders  were  received 
from  General  Withers  to  move  on,  skirmishers  were  thrown  out  in 
front  of  the  whole  line,  and  placed  in  command  of  Major  F.  E. 
Whitfield  of  the  9th  Mississippi  regiment,  who  led  them  with  great 
coolness  and  with  marked  itbility  and  skill.  Our  orders  were  to  swing 
around,  with  our  right  resting  on  the  creek  bottom,  and  to  drive  the 
enemy  before  us  to\Yards  Pittsburg,  and  we  accordingly  moved  forward, 
advancing  most  rapidly  on  the  right,  and  gradually  wheeling  the  whole 
line. 

In  this  order  we  Avere  marching,  when  our  skinjiishers  developed  the 
enemy  concealed  behind  a  fence,  in  thick  undergrowth,  with  an  open 
field  or  orchard  in  his  front.  The  width  of  this  orchard  Avas  about  35!) 
or  400  yards,  and  behind  it  Avas  a  very  steep  and  perfectly  abrupt  hill, 
at  the  foot  of  Avhich  ran  a  small  branch.  At  the  base  of  this  hill  ran 
the  Hamburg  and  Pittsburg  road,  skirting  the  orchard  at  its  base,  and 
then  turning  to  the  right,  running  along  side  of  it,  the  orchard  being 
to  the  right  of  the  road.  The  ground  from  the  branch  to  the  fence, 
Avhcrc  the  enemy  was  concealed,  was  a  gradual  ascent,  and  our  line 
was  in  full  vieAV  of  the  enemy  from  the  time  it  crossed  the  stream. 

The  9th  Mississippi  was  noAV  on  the  left,  and  there  Avas  a  space  of 
about  thirty  j^ards  between  its  left  and  the  Hamburg  and  Pittsburg 
road.  As  soon  as  I  discovered  the  position  of  the  enemy,  I  ordered 
up  Gage's  battery,  which,  until  noAv  had  not  been  engaged,  and  put  it 
in  position,  on  the  hill  above  the  branch.  My  line  moved  on  across 
the  orchard  in  most  splendid  style  and  perfect  order,  and  to  my  great 
surprise  not  a  shot  was  fired  until  Ave  came  Avithin  about  forty  yards 
of  the  fence.  Then  a  heavy  fire  Avas  opened  on  us  in  front,  and  at  the 
same  time,  a  column  was  seen  coming  at  double-quick  doAvn  the  Ham- 
burg and  Pittsburg  road,  with  the  evident  intention  of  getting  in  our 
rear  and  cuttino;  off  the  Avhole  brigade.  As  soon  as  this  column  Avas 
fairly  in  sight,  coming  over  the  opposite  hill.  Gage's  battery  opened  a 
Avell-dirccted  fire  on  its  head,  and  it  was  scattered  in  confusion,  and  at 
the  same  moment,  our  infantry  made  a  charge  in  front,  and  after  a 
hard  figlit,  drove  the  enemy  from  his  concealment,  though  Ave  suffer- 
ed heavily  in  killed  and  Avounded. 

After  this  fight  our  ammunition  Avas  exhausted,  and  the  Avagons  be- 
incr  some  distance  behind,  avc  lost  some  time  before  it  Avas  replenished. 
As  soon,  however,  as  the  ammunition  could  be  distributed,  Ave  moved" 
on  Avith  the  right  resting  en  the  edge  of  the  Tennessee  river  bottom, 
with  the  same  orders  as  before.  When  avc  had  gone  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  Ave  again  encountered  the  enemy,  in  a  very  strong  position 
on  a  hill,  with  a  deep  ravine   in  his  front,  and  a  very   stubborn  fight 


230 

ensued,  in  which  we  lost  many  gallant  men,  among  them  the  Rev.  M. 
L.  Woller,  Chaplain  of  the  0th  Mississippi  regiment — a  pure  man,  an 
anient  patriot  and  a  true  christian — and  Captains R.  J.  Armstrong  and 
L.  C.  K.  Bostiek^  of  the  5th  Mississippi  regiment,  who  fell  gallantly 
leading  on  their  respective  companies.  Here  again  Gage's  battery  did 
good  service,  though  it  was  some  time  before  it  could  be  brought  into 
position,  owing  to  the  rough  nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  want  of 
roads  ;  and  I  here  take  occasion  to  say  that  I  cannot  speak  too  highly 
of  the  energy,  skill  and  labor  displayed  by  the  men  of  this  battery 
throughout  the  day,  in  cutting  their  way  through  a  thickly  wooded 
country,  over  ravines  and  hills  almost  impassable  to  ordinary  wagons. 
After  about  an  hours'  hard  fighting, ^the  enemy  again  retreated,  leav- 
ing many  of  his  dead  on  the  field. 

About  this  time,  the  gunboats  from  the  river  begun  to  throw  their 
shells  amongst  us,  and  we  pressed  rapidly  forward  in  line  of  battle  to- 
wards the  centre,  where  the  battle  seemed  to  be  raging  fiercely.  We 
were  soon  met  by  an  officer,  stating  that  he  belonged  to  Gen.  Critten- 
den's staff,  and  that  ho  had  been  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and 
needed  assistance.  As  near  as  I  could  judge  of  the  position  of  affairs, 
our  troops  were  then  in  a  line  of  battle  running  from  south  to  north, 
and  facing  east  or-a  little  north  of  east.  My  line  was  running  from 
east  to  west,  and  facing  north.  Moving  at  a  double-quick  over  several 
ravines  and  hills,  we  came  upon  the  enemy  and  attacked  him  on  his 
flank.  This  was  the  fourth  figlit  in  which  ray  brigade  had  been  en- 
gaged during  the  day,  and  after  a  severe  firing  of  some  duration,  find- 
ing the  enemy  stubbornly  resisting,  I  rode  back  for  Gen,  Jackson's 
brigade,  which  was  lying  down  for  reserve  in  my  rear  and  to  my  left. 
I  did  not  see  Gen.  Jackson,  but  finding  Col.  Wheeler,  called  upon  him 
to  take  up  the  fight,  which  he  did  Avith  promptness  and  vigor.  I  sent 
a  staff  oflicer  to  command  my  brigade  to  lie  down  and  rest  uatil  they 
received  further  orders,  and  then  followed  up  Gen.  Jackson's  brigade 
myself  until  I  came  upon  Major  General  Bragg,  commanding  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  to  whom  I  reported  my  action,  I  had  been  there 
but  a  few  moments,  however,  when  some  of  our  troops  were  driven 
back  in  confusion,  and  Gen.  Bragg  called  out  to  "  bring'up  Chalmers' 
brigade." 

I  rode  back  immediately  to  where  I  had  ordered  my  men  to  halt, 
and  found  that  they  had  not  understood  the  orders  and  had  pressed  on 
after  the  retreating  foe.  Riding  rapidly  after  them,  I  reached  them 
just  after  the  enemy  had  raised  the  white  Hag,  and  a  number  of  the 
enemy  had  surrendered  to  the  9th  Mississippi,  which  was  then  some 
distance  in  advance  of  any  other  Confederate  troops. 

Col.  Shaw,  of  the  11th  Iowa  regiment,  and  a  senior  Captain,  com- 
manding some  companies  of  the  28th  Illinois  regiment,  surrendered 
to  Major  F.  E.  Whitfield,  and  the  Colonel  of  the  18th  Missouri,  with 
a  portion  of  his  command,  surrendered  to  Lieut.  Donald  McKenzie, 
company  K,  9tli  Mississippi  regiment. 

About  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  the  surrender,  some  of  our  troops, 
supposed  to  be  of  Gen.  Polk's  division,  made  their  appearance  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  surrendered    camps  and  were  with  great  difficulty 


231 

prevented  from  firiag  upon  the  prisoners.  The  cavalry  very  soon 
arrived  and  the  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  them,  and  were  carried 
to  the  rear.  It  was  then  about  4  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  after  dis- 
tributing ammunition  we  received  orders  from  Gen.  Bragg  to  drive 
the  enemy  into  the  river.  My  brigade,  together  with  that  of  Brig. 
Gen.  Jackson,  filed  to  the  right  and  formed,  facing  the  river,  and 
endeavored  to  press  forward  to  the  water's  edge,  but  in  attempting  to 
mount  the  last  ridge  we  were  met  by  a  fire  from  a  whole  line  of  batte- 
ries, protected  by  infantry  and  assisted  by  shells  from  the  gunboats. 
Our  men  struggled  vainly  to  ascend  the  hill,  Avhicli  was  very  steep, 
making  charge  after  charge  without  success,  but  continued  the  fight 
until  'night  closed  the  hostilities  on  both  sides. 

During  this  engagement,  Gage's  battery  was  brought  up  to  our  assis- 
tance, but  suffered  so  severely  that  it  was  soon  compelled  to  r(  tire.  This 
was  the  sixth  fight  in  which  we  had  been  engaged  during  the  day,  and 
my  men  were  too  much  exhausted,  to  storm  the  batteries  on  the  hill  ; 
but  they  were  brought  off  in  good  order,  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and 
filept  on  the  battle  field,  where  I  remained  with  them. 

Early  on  the  following  morning  I  received  notice  that  the  enemy 
was  advancing,  and  was  ordered  by  General  Withers  to  fall  back  about 
A  half  mile,  and  form  on  the  right  of  General  Jackson's  brigade,  and 
follow  him  over  to  the  left,  where  it  was  supposed  the  fight  would  bo. 
We  fell  back  and  waited  for  General  Jackson  to  file  past  ^o  the  left, 
intending  to  follow  him  as  directed,  but  before  we  could  get  away,  the 
enemy  came  charging  rapidly  upon  us,  and  the  fight  of  the  second  day 
•commenced.  We  waited  quietly  until  the  enemy  advanced  within 
easy  range,  when  Ave  opened  fire  upon  him  and  he  fled.  We  then  at- 
tempted to  move  by  the  left  flank,  so  as  to  follow  General  Jackson, 
when  wo  were  again  attacked,  and  a^fight  of  about  one  hour  and  a 
half  ensued,  from  which  we  retired,  after  having  exhausted  our  ammu- 
nition. During  this  engagement  Major  F.  E.  Whitfield  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  hip  and  brought  to  the  rear. 

Our  ammunition  wagOBS  not  being  at  hand,  we  fell  back  to  the  first 
>camp  that  we  had  taken  from  the  enemy,  where  we  found  an  abundant 
supply  of  the  appropriate  calibre.  I  sent  a  staff  officer  to  (jlcneral 
W^ithers  about  au  hour  before  for  assistance,  and  reinforcements  now 
arrived,  under  my  gallant  commander  (Brigadier  General  Withers), 
who,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  testify,  was  always  found  at  the  right 
.place,  at  the  right  time,  guiding  and  supporting  whatever  portion  of 
his  division  needed  assistance.  I  formed  the  reinforcements,  consist- 
ing of  the  Crescent  regiment,  Louisiana  volunteers,  a  Tennessee  regi- 
ment, under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Vcnablc,  and  an  Alabama  regiment, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Chadwick,  into  line,  and  moved  them  forward  to 
meet  the  enemy,  after  having  turned  over  the  command  of  my  own 
brigade  to  Colonel  R.  A.  Smith,  of  the  lOth  Mississippi  regiment, 
•with  instructions  to  hold  himself  a  thousand  yards  in  the  rear,  in  re- 
eervc.  The  reinforcements  skirmished  awhile  with  the  enemy,  but 
when  the  first  serious  charge  was  made  upon  them,  they  broke,  and 
Colonel  J^mith  was  compelled  to  bring  my  brigade  again  to  the  front. 
The  fight  raged  ficrccJy  for  some  time,  and  my  men  were   compelled 


73? 

to  retire  in  some  confusion,  heinc;  ovcrwliclraed  by  tlic  snpcrfor  nninr- 
ber  of  the  enemy.  After  retreating  about  three  hundred  yards,  they 
were  rallied  and  drawn  up  in  line  at  the  foot  of  a  hill.  The  enemy 
pursued  slowly,  until  he  came  within  range  of  our  fire,  -when  he  was 
boldly  met,  and.  in  turn,  driven  back  unti^  we  had  again  occupied  the 
pvound  we  had  previously  loft.  Here  the  enemy  was  reinforced  and' 
t!ie  fight  renewed,  and  we  were  gradually  being  driven  back  down  the 
hill  again,  wlren  Colonel  Preston  Smith  arrived,  with  the  15-Jth  regi- 
ment Tennessee  volunteers  and  Blythe's  jNIississippi  volunteers,  who 
came  gallantly  to  our  assistance  and  took  position  on  our  right.  Be- 
lieving that  one  bold  charge  might  cliange  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  I 
called  upon  my  brigade  to  make  one  more  effort,  but  they  Seemed  too 
much  exhausted  to  make  the  attempt,  and  no  appeal  seemed  to  rouse 
them.  As  a  last  resort,  I  seized  the  battle  flag  from  the  color-bearer 
of  the  9th  Mississippi  regiment  and  called  on  them  to  follow.  With 
a  wild  .«hont  the  whole  brigade  rallied  to  the  charge,  and  we  drove  the" 
enemy  back  rmd  re-occupied  our  first  position  of  the  morning,  which 
we  held  until  the  ordtr  to  retreat  was  received,  when  Ave  fell  back  in 
good  order,  the  enemy  not  daring  to  pursue.  Colonel  ^Mieeler,  of 
the  19th  Alabama  regiment  volunteers,  was  with  a  small  remnant  of 
his  regiment  at  thi-s  time,  fighting  with  a  small  remnant  of  the  Mis- 
Ftssippians,  on  foot  himself  and  bearing  the  colors  of  his  command. 
In  this  lastK-hargc,  so  gallantly  made,  the  9th  Mississippi  sustained  a 
heavy  loss  in  the  fall  of  her  brave  commander,  Lieutenant  Colcne! 
Wm.  A.  Rankin,  who  fell  mortally  wounded,  after  having  led  his  men 
fearlessly  throughout  the  whole  of  the  first  and  second  day.  Most  of 
my  command  behaved  well.  Colonel  R.  A.  Smith,  of  the  lOtli  Mis- 
sissippi regiment,  was  particularU'  distinguished  for  his  bold  daring,, 
and  his  clarion  voice  could  bo  heard  above  the  din  of  battle,  cheering 
on  his  men.  Major  F.  E.  Whitfield,  of  the  9th  Mississippi  regiment, 
led  the  skirmishers  during  Sunday,  and  deserves  great  credit  for  his 
courage  and  coolness,  lie  was  wounded  in  the  hip  early  on  Monday 
morning  and  taken  from  tlie  field.  Colonel  Fant  and  iNIajor  Stenuis, 
of  the  oth  Mississippi  regiment,,  and  Jiieutenant  Colonel  IMayson, 
commanding  the  7th  Mississippi,  were  all  conspicuous  in  the  thickest 
of  the  fight.  All  the  Mississippians,  both  officers  and  men,  with  a 
few  exceptions  elsewhere  reported,  behaved  well.  The  52d  Tennessee 
(except  two  companies,  under  Captains  J.  A.  Russell  and  A.  N.  Wil- 
son, who  fought  with  the  5th  ftlississippi,)  behaved  badly.  Gage's 
battery  did  manful  service  on  the  Cth,  but  on  the  7th  was  not  in  the* 
fii;ht.  I  cannot  conclude  without  mentioning  the  signal  service  ren- 
dered mo  by  the  gentlemen  of  my  staff".  To  Captain  Henry  Craft, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General,  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  the  order  and 
system  established  in  a  new  brigade,  composed  very  largely  of  troops 
never  before  placed  in  brigade,  and  having  but  little  knowledge  of 
their  respective  duties.  On  the  field  he  rendered  all  the  service  re- 
quired of  him,  and  had  his  horse  slightly  M'ounded  when  bearing  an: 
order.  First  Lieutenant  Goo.  T.  Banks,  Aid-de-Camp,  was  always 
at  his  post,  and  in  a  most  fearless  manner  discharged  all  the  duties  of 
his  hazardous  position.     First   Lieutenant  W.  T.  Stricklin,  Adjutamt 


233 

of  the  3d  Mississippi  regiment,  who  made  his  escape  from  Fort  Don- 
elson  after  its  surrender,  being  ordered  to  report  to  mo  for  duty,  was 
placed  on  my  staff  as  Acting  Inspector  General,  and  bore  himself 
gallantly  during  the  fight.  Captain  B.  S.  Crump,  A.  C.  S.,  Captain 
Jas.  Barr,  and  Lieutenant  M.  M.  Shelley,  "both  of  the  late  lOth  Mis- 
sissippi regiment,  rendered  me  efficient  service  as  volunteer  aids.  Wra. 
A.  Rains,  Sergeant  Major, and  Fleming  Thompson,  private  in  company 
"  K,"  both  of  the  9th  Mississippi  regiment,  two  brave  Mississippi 
boys  of  but  17  years  of  age,  accompanied  me  on  horseback,  and  in  the 
absence  of  staff  officers,  bore  orders  under  the  heaviest  of  the  fire. 
Sergcaiit  Major  llains  deserves  especial  notice  for  having  carried  an 
order  with  promptness  and  decision,  on  Sunday  evening,  wlicn  we 
were  attacking  the  batteries,  under  the  heaviest  fire  that  occurred 
during  the  whole  engagement.  I  must  also  acknowledge  the  valuable 
assistance  rendered  by  our  guide,  Mr.  Lafayette  Veal,  of  McNai,ry 
county,  Tenn.,  who  remained  with  us  closely  and  was  ever  ready  to 
give  any  information  and  aid  in  his  power.  Without  him  our  move-' 
ments  would  have  been  comparatively  in  the  dark  and  much  retarded, 
•whilst  with  his  guidance  we  were  enabled  to  move  rapidly  towanls  our 
desired  end.  Colonel  Clanton's  1st  regiment  of  Alabama  cavalry, 
held  themselves  on  our  right,  to  supi>ort  us,  and  though  they  rendered 
no  especial  service,  their  presence  may  have  protected  our  flank 
from  an  attack,  and  I  cannot  conclude  without  mentioning  Col.  Clan- 
ton  himself,  who  remained  almost  all  the  time  with  my  brigade,  and 
though  constantly  exposed  to  the  most  dangerous  fire,  exhibited  the 
most  fearless  and  exemplary  courage,  cheering  on  those  who  seemed 
inclined  to  falter  or  grow  weary,  and  with  a  detachment  of  his  cavalry 
supplying  us  with  ammunition  when  our  wagons  could  not  reach  us. 
It  is  impossible  to  say  v;ith  accurac}^  how  many  prisoners  we  took,  as 
they  were  turned  over  to  the  cavalry  as  fast  as  they  surrendered, 
singly  and  in  squads,  and  once  in  a  large  body,  without  being  counted. 
The  number  cannot  fall  short  of  sixteen  hundred.  We  went  into  the 
fight  two  thouaand  and  thirty-nine  (2,039)  strong  ;  of  these,  about 
four  hundred  were  of  the  52d  Tennessee  regiment,  three  hundred  of 
whom  were  not  engaged  in  th?  fight,  leaving  us  only  seventeen  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  (1T39)  men.  Of  these,  we  had  eighty-two  (82)  killed 
and  three  hundreil  and  forty-three  (3-13)  wounded,  a  return  of  which 
has  been  heretofore  made,  ijiviiii:  the  names  of  the  killed  and  v,'0UulcJ 
and  tlic  character  of  the  wounds. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully,  Cnptain, 

Your  obedient  servant. 

JAS.  R.  CHALMERS, 
Brigadier  G:neraL  Coing.  2n<i  Brigndr, 

With  rs'  Divisio7i,  2nd  Corps, 

Army  of  the  Missisyippt. 


RErORT    OF    BRIGADIER    GENERAL  JOHN  K.  JACKSON, 
COMMANDING  THIRD  BRIGADE,  WITIIER'S  DIVISION. 


IIkakqiarters  TniRn  Brigade,  ^ 

AViTiiERs'  Division,  Skcond  Ah  my  Corps,  A.  M.,  > 

Cvrinth,  Miss.,  April  26th  1862.      ) 

Captai.a  D.  E.  IIiger, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Cai'Tain:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  after  a  fati«^uing  march 
and  great  exposure  to  bad  weather,  the  3rd  brigade  of  Withers'  divi- 
sion, second  army  corps,  army  of  Mississippi,  arrived  at  the  phice  of 
rendezvous  near  the  battle  field  of  Shiloh,  at  about  12  o'clock,  on 
Saturday  oth  April,  inst.  The  brigade  was  composed  of  the  2nd  Texas 
regiment  of  infantry,  Colonel  J.  C.  Moore;  the  19th  Alabama  regi- 
ment, Colonel  Joseph  "Wiiceler  ;  the  18th  Alabama  regiment,  Colonel 
Eli  S.  Shorter;  the  17th  Alabama  regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel  K.  C. 
Favis,  and  Captain  J,  P.  Girardey's  battery  of  light  artillery,  in  the 
aggregate,  2,2(IS.  The  brigade  was  ordered  to  take  position  in  the 
second  line  on  the  left  of  General  Chalmers'  brigade,  whose  right 
rested  on  Lick  creek  swamp. 

The  regiments  were  first  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  in  the  order  from 
right  to  left,  in  which  they  are  above  named,  with  the  battery  on  the 
extreme  left.  The  infantry  were  then  broken  by  the  right  of  com- 
panies to  the  front,  and  ordered  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
move  at  a  moment's  notice.  My  brigade  remained  in  this  position 
during  the  remainder  of  Saturday,  and  thus  bivouacked  on  Saturday 
night. 

On  Sunday  morning  6th,  the  order  was  given  for  an  advance.  The 
infantry  and  artillery  commenced  the  movement  about  daj'light, 
moving  by  right  of  companies  to  the  front,  through  the  forest,  with  a 
view  to  a  rapivl  formation  at  any  moment,  by  company  into  line.  The 
order  received  and  extended,  was,  that  the  S2cond  line  should  follow 
up  the  advance  of  the  first  line  at  the  distance  of  about  1,000  yards 
in  its  rear,  and  support  it  as  occasion  required;  at  the  same  tijne 
bearing  off  Avell  to  the  right,  and  resting  upon  tlie  left  of  General 
Chalmers'  brigade,  gradually  sweeping  round  by  a  protracted  wheel  of 
the  whole  line  to  the  left.  The  march  being  rapid,  by  the  eagerness 
of  the  men  to  press  upon  the  enemy,  which  they  were  urged  to  do 
fircely  and  furiously.     I  found  that  the  first  line  w^as  soon  warmly 


235 

engaged;  that  solid  shot  and  shells  from  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  pass- 
ing over  the  first  line,  and  occasionally  Avounding  one  of  my  men. 
Advancing  rapidly,  I  found  that  the  engagement  was  between  General 
Gladden's  brigade  and  the  enemy,  and  that  the  latter  had  been  driven 
from  their  camps.  Following  on,  I  came  up  with  General  Gladden's 
brigade,  just  beyond  this  camp,  formed  in  squares.  Just  here,  heavy 
firing  was  heard  to  the  left,  and  by  order  of  General  Johnston,  my 
brigade  was  moved  in  that  direction  by  the  left  flank,  up  a  ravine. 
Before  proceeding  far,  ano^fier  order  was  received  to  change  direction 
and  move  to  the  right,  as  the  enemy  were  deployed  there.  During 
this  time.  Captain  Givardey  used  his  battery,  with  effect,  upon  a  bat- 
tery of  the  enemy,  which  was  playing  on  us  from  the  brow  of  the  hill 
opposite. 

Moving  off,  perhaps  half  a  mile  to  the  right,  I  took  position  again 
on  the  left  of  General  Chalmers'.  A  camp  of  the  enemy  being  just  op- 
posite to  my  center,  and  separated  from  it  by  a  deep  and  almost  im- 
passable ravine.  The  enemy  was  drawn  up  in  line  at  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  which  ekirted  his  camp.  Throwing  forward  two  companies  de- 
plo3'ed  as  skirmishers,  a  sharp  fire  was  provoked  from  the  enemy  and 
returned  with  spirit.  Girardey's  battery  was  placed  in  position  on  the 
edge  of  the  hill  overlooking  the  enemy  and  his  camp.  By  a  well 
directed  fire  of  shells  and  solid  shot,  he  caused  the  enemy  to  waver, 
and  the  infantry  who  had  advanced  to  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  were 
ordered  to  charge.  They  did  this  with  a  cheer  ;  the  enemy  fell  back 
and  the  camp  was  ours.  The  enemy  formed  again  in  the  skirt  of  wood 
on  the  opposite  side. of  their  camp  ground,  and  poured  a  hot  fire  into 
my  line.  Ordered  to  advance,  they  did  so  at  a  double  quick,  charged 
through  the  camp,  and  again  drove  the  enemy  from  his  position,  who  ral- 
lied on  the  next  ridge,  prepared  to  meet  us,  as  we  ascended  from  an 
almost  impassable  ravine  and  morass,  by  which  we  were  separated  from 
them.  Planting  sections  of  Captain  Girardey's  battery  in  favorable 
position,  I  directed  hira  to  open  fire  upon  the  enemy.  This  order  was 
promptly  executed,  and  after  a  spirited  cannonade,  well  rcspon<led  to, 
the  enemy  began  to  waver,  and  the  infantry  again  charged  with  a  like 
successful  result. 

At  this  point,  General  Breckinridge  rode  up  and  requested  me  to 
come  to  his  relief.  Upon  inquiring  of  him,  I  learncl  that  the  point 
at  which  he  required  relief,  was  in  the  direction  of  my  advance,  ac- 
cording the  General  Withers'  orders.  I  assured  General  Breckinridge 
that  I  would  be  there  as  soon  as  the  enemy,  who  continued  to  oppose 
me  with  a  stubborn  resistance,  could  be  driven  before  rao.  For  a  mile 
and  a  half  or  more,  this  fighting  was  uninterrupted,  save  when  the 
enemy  were  retiring  to  reform.  By  this  time,  gradually  swinging  or 
wheeling  around,  my  brigade  was  moving  towards  the  front,  occupied 
at  daylight  in  the  morning,  having  completely  outflanked  the  enemy 
and  driving  him  back  without  pause.  Drawn  up  now  behind  the  rails 
of  a  worm  fence  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  field,  he  hoped  to  stay  our 
progress  by  a  murlorous.  fire  as  my  men  crossed  the  open  space.  But 
the  effect  was  fruitless  of  the  desired  result,  and  our  a<lvancc  was  un- 
checked.    The  engagement  in  the  wood  beyond  the  field,  was  the  hot- 


236 

test  of  the  day,  and  while  progressing,  General  Chalmers'  rode  up  to 
me  and  informed  me  that  he  had  turned  over  that  fight  to  my  brigade, 
and  that  his  Avas  resting.  One  of  ni}^  regimc.nts,  returning  for  want 
of  ammunition,  was  rallied  and  sent  back  into  the  contest,  with  orders 
to  use  the  bayonet.  Immediately  afterwards,  General  Gladdeu's 
brigade  was  ordered  to  my  support,  but  before  becoming  actively  en- 
gaged the  enemy  displayed  a  white  ling.  An  officer  of  the  Texas 
regiment  was  sent  to  receive  the  surrendoi^  which  he  did,  along  with 
several  of  the  swords  of  the  officers. 

Cavaliy  being  sent  around  to  our  right,  took  charge  of  the  prison- 
ers (about  loOl)  in  number)  and  carried  them  to  the  rear.  Colonel 
Shorter,  with  his  regiment,  Avas  ordered  to  carry  these  prisoners  to 
Corinth,  which  was  done.  My  brigade  was  ordered  to  change  direction 
again,  face  towards  Pittsburg,  when  the  enemy  appeared  to  have  made 
his  last  stand  and  to  advance  upon  him.  General  Ciialmers'  brigade 
being  again  on  my  right  and  extending  to  the  swamp  of  the  Tennessee 
river.  AVithout  ammunition,  and  with  only  their  bayonets  to  rely  on, 
steadily  my  men  advanced,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  light  batteries, 
siege  pieces  and  gun-boats.  Passing  through  the  ravine,  they  arrived 
near  the  crest  of  the  opposite  hill,  upon  which  the  enemy's  batteries 
were;  but  could  n-ot  be  urged  further  Avithout  support.  Sheltering 
themselves  against  the  precipitous  sides  of  the  ravine,  they  remained 
under  this  fire  for  sometime.  J'inding  an  advance,  without  support, 
impracticable,  remaining  there  under  fire  useless,  and  believing  that 
any  further  forward  movement  should  be  made  simultaneously  along 
our  whole  line.  I  proceeded  to  obtain  orders  from  General  Withers  ; 
but  hefore  seeing  him,  was  ordered  by  a  staff  officer  to  retire.  This 
order  was  announced  to  me  as  coming  from  General  Beauregard,  and 
was  promptly  communicated  to  my  command. 

In  the  darkness  of  the  night,  Avhich  had  then  fallen  upon  us,  my 
regiments  became  separated  from  each  other.  Colonel  Favis,  with  the 
17th  Alabama,  falling  back  to  the  line  occupied  by  us  in  the  morning. 
Colonel  Moore,  with  the  Texas,  and  Colonel  Wheeler,  Avith  the  1 9th 
Alabama,  taking  a  different  position,  and  the  battery,  with  Avhich  I 
remained,  falling  back  to  Shiloh  Church,  Colonel  Shorter,  Avith  the 
ISth  Alabama,  had  taken  the  prisoners  to  Corinth.  Thus  closed  Sun- 
day, 6th  April,  upon  my  bri.irade. 

On  Alonday  morning,  my  battery  Avas  early  sent  into  action,  but  as 
I  saw  no  more  of  it  until  after  the  order  to  retire,  I  refer  to  the  ac- 
companying report  of  the  Captain  Girardcy.  So,  also  as  to  the  regi- 
ments, I  refer  to  the  reports  of  their  respective  commanders. 

Finding  myself  Avithout  a  command,  after  diligent  search  for  them, 
I  Avas  requested  by  some  staff  officer,  not  now  recollected,  to  take 
command  of  three  new  regiments  near  the  road  below  Shiloh  Church, 
to  rally  all  stragglers  upon  them,  and  be  ready  to  move  up  at  any 
moment.  This  Avas  done  as  far  as  possible,  it  being  very  difficult  to 
make  men  reform,  after  they  have  lost  their  pride  sufficiently  to  obtain 
their  consent  to  fly.  Tavo  lines,  at  different  points,  Avere  thus  formed, 
but  never  required  for  action,  as  the  enemy  did  not  pursue.  Return- 
ing, I  found   Colonel  Favis'  17th   Alabama,  commanded  by  General 


237 

Breckinridge,  and  used  by  him  to  stop  stragglers,  and  form  another 
line  at  the  place  of  our  halt  on  Saturday.  I'assing  on  to  Monterc}'-, 
Avhere  I  consulted  with  General  Chalmers  as  to  the  disposition  of  some 
prisoners  and  as  to  his  remaining  there.  I  arrived  at  Corinth  at  1 1  1-2 
P.  M.,  Monday  night. 

One  stand  of  colors  captured  by  Colonel  Wheelers,  19th  Alabama, 
two  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fa  vis,  17th  Alabama,  and  three  by  Capt. 
Givardey's  company,  have  been  returned. 

Where  all  the  officers  of  my  command,  "svitli  a  few  rare  exceptions, 
conducted  themselves  so  well.     I  could  not  mention  any  particularly 
without  doing  the  injustice  of  silence  to  others.     To  the  officers  of  my 
staif,  I  am  indebted  for  their  courage,  accuracy  and  activity. 
I  am,  Captain,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  K.  JACKSON, 
Brigadier  Gincral,  commanding  3rd  Brigade, 
Withers'  Division,  'ind  Army  Corps,  A.  BI. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JOHN  C.  MOORE,  OF  THE  SECOND 
REGIMENT  TEXAS  INFANTRY,  IN  ACTION  OF  THE 
6th  APRIL. 


Headquarters  2nd  Regiment  Texas  Infantry,  ) 

Camp  near  Corinth,  Miss,  April  19th,  1862.      ) 

CAtlAIN  J.   B.   CuMMINGS, 

A.  A.. General,  Srd  Brigade,  Withers'  Division: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  the  2nd  regiment  Texas  infantry,  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on 
the  Cth  instant. 

In  justice  to  my  regiment,  permit  rae  to  say  that  no  other  regiment 
entereil  the  fight  on  that  day  under  more  unfavorable  circumstances 
than  the  2nd  Texas.  Leaving  Houston,  Texas,  on  tl5^  12th  March,** 
We  arrived  here  on  the  1st  April,  after  a  long  and  exhausting  march. 
Remaining  in  camp  but  one  day,  we  left  on  the  3rd  for  the  field  of 
Shiloh.  Not  having  received  the  provisions  ordered  for  the  regiment, 
we  left  with  a  short  two  and  a  half  day's  rations.  By  Saturday 
morning  our  provisions  were  all  exhausted,  yet  the  men  moved  forward 
with  light  hearts  and  buoyant  spirits  without  a  murmur  of  complaint. 
By  this  time  many  who  had  left  camp  with  worn  out  shoes  became 
totally  l)arefootcd,  and  many  of  the  men,  as  well  as  some  of  the  officers, 
returned  to  camp,  after  the  battle  in  their  bare  feet. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  while  the  regiment  acted  as  a  sup- 
port to  General  Hardee's  division,  we  lost  one  man  killed,  and  two  or 
three  wounded.  At  about  H  1-2  o'clock  we  moved  to  the  right,  and 
took  position  in  the  front  line  of  battle,  on  the  left  of  General  Chal- 
mers' brigade.  This  brought  us  near  a  small  stream,  Avhich  I  was  told 
is  knovrn  as  Lick  creek.  K^oon  after  we  took  position,  the  enemy 
deployed  as  skirmishers,  opened  fire  on  our  line,  wounding  two  or 
three  of  our  men,  and  also  mortally  wounding  Captain  Brooks,  who 
was  carried  to  the  rear,  and,  died  on  the  8th.  The  enemy  being  con- 
cealed behind  trees  and  logs.  Captain  Smith  was  ordered  to  deploy 
his  company  as  skirmishers,  cover  our  front,  and  ascertain  the  exact 
position  of  the  enemy  ;  at  the  same  time  Captain  Girardey's  battery 
was  thrown  forward,  and  by  firing  into  the  woods,  seemed  to  disperse 
the  enemy's  forces.     Being  now  ordered  to  advance,  we  proceeded  some 


239 

two  or  tKree  hundred  yards  to  the  brow  of  a  hill,  where  the  etietny 
appeared  in  considerable  force,  within  range  of  our  guns,  but  on  the 
opposite  side  of  a  narrow  bottom  of  low  land.  Opening  fire,  we 
advanced  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  when  we  gave  the  command  "  double 
quick,"  which  being  done,  the  right  of  the  regiment  passing  through 
an  open  field  under  a  fire,  we  reached  the  brow  of  the  opposite  hill  and 
halted.  We  were  now  near  the  enemy's  camp,  and  under  the  fire  of  a 
large  force,  at  a  short  distance  in  front,  sheltering  themselves  in 
houses,  which  -were  in  front  of  their  camp.  Seeing  the  right  of  our 
regiment  suffering  severely,  and  the  advantage  of  the  enemy  in  their 
sheltered  position,  we  again  gave  the  order  "  charge,"  which  was  well 
done,  driving  the  enemy  before  us  from  the  camps,  killing  and  wounding 
a  considerable  number,  and  taking  six  prisoners.  On  reaching  the 
road,  passing  through  the  encampment,  we  -were  fired  on  by  a  large 
force  to  our  right,  from  behind  or  through  openings,  from  a  collection 
of  farm  houses.  As  the  enemy  seemed  intending  to  turn  our  right 
flank,  we  fell  back  some  fifty  yards,  protected  from  their  fire  by  rising 
ground  in  front.  Here  we  changed  direction  to  the  right,  and  again 
charged  the  enemy,  driving  them  from  the  houses  across  a  ravine  and 
over  the  opposite  hill.  On  reaching  the  ravine  we  halted  ;  Captain 
Girardey's  battery  having  opened  a  fire  from  the  hill  in  our  rear,  the 
shots  passing  over  our  heads.  While  in  thi^i  position  General  Chal- 
mers' forces  were  engaging  the  enemy  on  our  right.  They  were 
exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  a  large  force,  and  though  fighting  like 
hereos,  seemed  at  last  to  be  giving  back,  and  Captain  Girardey's  but- 
tery suffering  severely  at  the  same  time,  Adjutan  Mangum  (a  brave 
and  efficient  officer,)  was  ordered  to  request  the  batter}^  to  cease  firings 
that  we  might  advance  to  the  assistance  of  the  Mississippians,  without 
being  exposed  to  the  fire  of  our  own  guns.  The  space  between  the 
right  of  Colonel  Wheeler's  regiment  and  the  left  of  General  Chalmers' 
brigade,  being  sufficient  for  a  line  of  only  three  companies,  we  ordered 
forward  Captains  Smith,  McGinnis  and^Christian,  with  their  compa- 
nies. They  advanced  at  a  double  quick,  and  after  a  short  but  severe 
engagement  routed  the  enemy,  being  supported  by  the  other  companies 
of  the  regiment  close  in  the  rear  of  the  line.  As  we  passed  over  the 
ground  in  front,  the  number  of  dead  and  wounded  showed  that  our 
balls  had  done  fearful  execution  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 

The  line  being  now  reformed,  after  crossing  a  deep  ravine,  we  were 
ordered  to  sweep  around  by  a  slow  wheel  to  the  westward,  and  proceed 
to  where  we  now  heard  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry.  After 
proceeding  in  the  direction  for  perhaps  half  a  mile,  we  came  up  to  a 
force  covering  our  entire  front,  and  to  the  right  and  left  as  far  as  wc 
could  sec  through  the  Avoods.  In  this  position,  the  right  wing  of  our 
regiment  rested  in  a  deep  ravine,  the  left  on  a  high  hill,  exposed  to  a 
very  heavy  fire,  which  passed  over  or  through  the  ranks  of  our  friends 
in  front.  Here  wc  halted  and  ordered  the  men  to  lie  down,  but  remained 
in  this  position  but  a  few  minutes,  amidst  a  perfect  sliower  of  balls, 
wounding  several  of  the  men,  though  prostrate  on  the  ground.  The 
left  wing  beinf;  now  thrown  into  some  confusion  under  a  fire,  which 
they  could  not  return,  it  fell  back  some  fifty  yards  and  reformed.    The 


240 

command  *'  fonvard,"  was  given  immediately,  and  oncoming  up  again 
to  the  first  position  it  was  found  that  the  right  wing  had  advanced  as 
the  left  fell  back.  Being  but  a  short  distance  in  the  rear,  the  left 
advanced  at  double  quick,  and  soon  joined  the  other,  in  certainly  one 
xif  the  most  brilliant  actions  of  the  day.  We  think  we  may  be  per- 
mitted to  say  that  the  regiment  had  already  done  noble  work,  yet  this 
last  and  closing  action  of  the  day  may  be  remembered  with  pride  by 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  2nd  Texas  infantry.  They  charged  the 
camp  with  a  shout,  in  the  face  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  musketry, 
and  though  they  met  an  obstinate  resistance,  they  soon  drove  the 
enemy  from  their  encampment  into  the  roads  beyond,  taking  some  five 
•or  six  prisoners  on  the  ground.  On  reaching  the  north-western  side  of 
the  encampment,  where  we  were  still  engaging  the  enemy,  a  Federal 
officer  (a  Colonel)  came  dashing  up  near  our  lines,  and  cried  out,  "  boys 
for  CJod's  sake  stop  firing,  you  are  killing  your  friends,  "  the  boys  not 
being  deceived,  ordered  him  to  halt  as  he  dashed  off,  but  declining  to 
accept  the  ipvitation,  he  soon  fell  dead  with  his  horse.  At  this  place 
our  men  also  shot  an  officer  who  was  driving  off  at  a  furious  rate  in  a 
buggy.  On  being  shot,  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  fell  backwards  from 
his  buggy.  We  novr  observed  the  enemy  in  full  force,  formed  in  line 
to  the  front  and  left  of  us,  and  supposing  from  their  position,  that  it 
was  their  intention  to  try  to  turn  our  left  fiank  and  cut  us  oft'  from 
our  forces  on  that  side,  the  interval  on  the  left  being  at  that  time  very 
considerable,  we  fell  back  about  one  hundred  yards  to  the  left  and 
rear,  still  keeping  up  a  fire  at  long  range.  While  the  line  Avas  thus 
being  formed,  the  cry  ''white  fiag"  Avas  raised,  the  command  "  ceaso 
firing"  given,  and  in  a  few  minutes  an  officer,  xinknoAvn  to  us,  rode  up 
and  said  that  a  force  of  one  thousand  of  the  enemy  Avished  to  surrender 
to  the  Texas  regiment.  At  this  time  a  regiment  of  cavalry  passed 
betAveen  us  and  the  prisoners,  and  before  avc  could  get  further  infor- 
mation on  the  subject,  they  Avere  in  the  hands  of  other  parties.  This 
caused  our  men  much  regret,  as  they  had  just  had  an  obstinate  contest 
with  these  very  men,  and  AveTeel  certain  it  Avas  their  Colonel  Avho  Avas 
shot  from  his  horse,  as  he  rode  directly  from  their  position  in  approaching 
ours.  Captain  Ashbel  Smith  Avas  Avounded  severely  in  the  arm  at  this 
camp,  lie  had  borne  himself  Avith  great  gallantry  during  the  day, 
and  Ave  thus  lost  for  the  present,  the  services  of  a  brave  and  excellent 
officer. 

From  this  point  Ave  marched  to  tlic  castAvard,  toAvard  the  Tennessee 
river.  As  avc  Avere  about  marching,  a  shell  from  the  enemy  fell  and 
exploded  in  our  ranks,  mortally  Avounding  two  men  of  Captain  Oriens 
company.  After  advancing  about  half  a  mile  Ave  came  to  a  deep  ravine 
and  found  ourselves  in  front  of  a  heaA^y  battery  of  the  enemy,  at  the 
distance  of  four  or  five  hundred  yards  to  our  front.  They  opened  on 
us  a  fire  of  shot  and  shell,  Avhich  did  but  little  damage,  as  the  balls 
generally  passed  over  our  heads  and  across  the  ravine.  After  having 
kept  up  this  fire  for  a  considerable  time,  they  then  changed  the  position 
of  some  of  their  guns,  placing  them  so  as  to  bring  on  us  a  rak'ing  fire 
up  the  ravine  from  our  right.  Seeing  this  state  of  things,  we  made 
a  rapid  retreat  from  our  unpleasant  position,  and  proceeded  back  to 


341 

the  camp  last  taken,  having  been  told  that  we  ■svoiild  here  receive 
further  orders.  It  was  dark  when  we  reached  the  camp,  and  after 
waiting  an  hour  or  so,  we  bivouacked  near  the  encampment,  in  a 
drenching  rain. 

First  Lieutenant  Dan  Gallahcr  was  sent  to  look  for  ammunition  soon 
after  we  took  this  camp.  lie  did  not  return,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  taken  prisoner.  After  having  passed  the  night  in  the  rain,  and 
having  had  our  sleep  occasionally  disturbed  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell, 
in  our  vicinity,  we  proceeded  early  the  next  morning  about  half  a  mile 
and  joined  Colonel  Wheeler's  regiment. 

Here  we  received  orders  from  (iieneral  Withers  to  march  again  to 
meet  the  enemy.  After  marching  some  two  miles  we  halted  near  the- 
enemy's  lines,  and  having  been  placed  in  command  of  a  brigade,  we- 
turned  over  that  of  the  regiment  to  Licutcnnnt-Colonel  W.  P.  Jlojrers.. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  llogers  and  Major  Runnels,  of  this  regiment,, 
did  their  dutj>  nobly  on  the  6th,  and  we  doubt  not  their  coolness  and' 
courage  attracted  the  attention  of  the  General  commanding.  Tho- 
company  officers,  so  far  as  we  could  observe,  with  one  exception, 
(Lieutenant  Foster  now  under  arrest,)  performed  their  respective  parts 
bravely,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  it  seems  to  me  if  I  should  mention 
favorably  only  a  portion  of  them,  I  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the- 
others.  Accompanying  this  report,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  list 
of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  on  the  6th.  This  report  is  much 
longer  than  I  intended  it  to  be  when  I  commenced,  but  I  trust  you' 
Avill  at  least  excuse  this,  perhaps  its  least  fault, 
I  am,  Captain,  ver}'  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  C.  MOORE, 
Colond  2nd  regiment  Texas  infantry. 

P.  S. — I  have  omitted  to  state  that  at  the  last  camp  taken  by  our  regi- 
ment, we  captured  two  pieces  of  artillery,  having  shot  the  horse.^,  and 
the  cannoniers  making  their  escape  on  foot.  Wc  were  thus  unable  to- 
bring  them  off  the  field. 

JOHN  C.  MOORE, 
Colonel  2nd  regiment  Tixaf  infantry.. 
IG 


REi'OKT  OF  COLONEL  S.  C.  MOOIIE,  OF  THE  SECOND 
KECLMENT  TEXAS  INFANTRY,  IN  THE  ACTION  OF 
THE  SEVENTH  INSTANT. 


Camp  near  Corinth,  Miss.,  ) 
April  21,  1862.      J 

A.  A.  G.,  General  Withers'  Division  : 

Sir  :  I  liavc  the  honor  to  report  tliut,  on  arrivinf;  near  the  enemy's 
lines  on  Monday,  the  7th  instant,  1  was  plaeed,  hy  General  Witlicrs, 
in  command  of  a  brigade  composed  of  the  2d  Te.xas,  19th  and  Slst 
Alahama, 

Uj)  to  this  date  I  have  received  no  reports  from  the  commanders  of 
Tcgiiiients,  Ik'ingonly  noininall}'  in  command  of  an  irreguhir  organ- 
ization, reports  of  tlie  action  may  have  been  made  to  other  com- 
manders. 

Before  advancing,  an  officer  and  staff  rode  up  and  inquired  for 
General  Withers.  The  General  not  being  pi'csent  just  then,  the 
officer  gave  orders  to  throw  forward  two  companies  as  skirmishers, 
cover  our  front,  learn  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and  then  fall  l>ack. 
On  asking  from  whom  I  received  this  order,  I  was  answered,  **  General 
Ilardee."  The  order  was  given,  but  before  execute<l  was  counter- 
manded by  the  same  authority.  The  brigade  then  moved  forward 
under  the  personal  direction  of  General  Hardee  and  staff,  with  a  care- 
ful v.arning  that  (Jeneral  IJreckinridge  was  in  our  front  engaging  the 
enemy. 

After  advancing  some  two  humlrcd  yards  a  large  force  was  seen  in 
•our  front  and  to  the  right,  but  in  a  thick  wood.  This  force  was  still 
believed  to  be  our  friends,  and  the  caution  again  and  again  given  not  to 
fire,  as  they  were  lireckinridge's  men.  1'lie  left  wing  of  the  brigade 
passii.g  through  an  open  field  was  now  considerably  in  advance  ol  the 
right,  which  passed  through  a  tiiicket  of  low  small  brushwood.  AVc 
Foon  learned  that  a  truly  sad  mistake  had  been  made  respecting  the 
force  in  front,  for  permitting  us  to  come  up  near  their  lines,  where 
they  had  a  deadly  cross  fire  on  our  left  wing,  still  in  an  0})cn  field, 
the  enemy,  from  the  shelter  in  the  woods,  now  poured  into  the  whole 
line  a  most  murderous  lire.  So  su(Men  was  the  sh«ck,  and  so  unex- 
pected If  as  the  character  of  our  supposed  friends,  that  the  whole  line 
eoon  gave  way  from  riglit  to  left  in  utter  confusion.  The  regiments 
became  so  scattered  and  mixed,  that  all  efforts  to  reform  them  became 


243 


fruitless.     Many   of   the  ofRcers,  however,   succeeded   in  gathoring 
squads,  and  joined  other  commands  during  the  battle. 

I  have  included  in  my  report  of  the  6th,  the  entire  number  of  killed 
wounded  and  missing  of  the  2d  regiment  Texas  infantry.  * 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 


JOHN  C.  MOORE, 
Cohnel  2d  Re2,iment  Texas  Volunteers, 


SPECIAL  llErORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  C.  MOORE. 


Headquarters  Third  Brigade,  Withers'  Division,  > 
Camp  near  Co.tiNiH,  Miss.,  April  25,  1862.      j 

Captain  D.  E.  IIuger, 

A.  A.  G.,  Withers'  Division: 

Sir  :  Having  heard  that  the  2nd  regiment,  Texas  infantry,  of  which 
I  am  proud  to  have  the  honor  of  being  Colonel,  I  as  been  spoken  of  as 
having  acted  badly  on  the  field  of  battle,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th 
inat.,  1  feel  it  my  duty,  in  justice  to  the  regiment,  to  make  the  fol- 
lowing "  special  report"  for  the  information  of  the  General  com- 
manding the  2nd  corps,  army  of  the  Mississippi. 

As  stated  in  my  former  report,  I  was  not  in  command  of  my  regi- 
ment on  that  day  ;  having  been  placed  by  General  Withers,  in  com- 
mand of  a  brigade,  composed  of  the  I9tb  and  21st  Alabama,  and  2nd 
Texas.  Having  formed  the  brigade  in  line  of  battle  as  ordered,  the 
21st  Alabama  on  the  right,  the  2nd  Texas  in  the  center,  and  the  19th 
Alabama  on  the  left,  a  general  officer  and  staff,  r.ode  up  and  inquired 
for  General  Withers,  wlio  had  just  left  our  position.  He  ordered  me 
to  throw  forward  skirmishers,  cover  our  Iront,  feel  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  and  then  fall  back.  On  asking  from  whom  I  received  the  order, 
I  was  answere<l  "  General  Hardee."  The  order  was  immediately 
given  for  deploying  the  skirmishers,  but  before  it  could  be  executed, 
It  was  countermanded,  and  the  brigade,  except  the  19th  Alabama,  who 
srcted  as  a  supjiort,  advanced  under  (he  personal  direction  of  General 
Hardee  and  staff,  who  generally  gave  orders  directly,  and  not  through 
myself  as  commander  of  the  brigade. 

I  beg  permission  to  state  here,  that  General  Bragg,  who  did  me  the 
honor  to  recommend  me  for  promotion,  perhaps,  feels  (as  I  am  'old) 
some  little  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  the  recommendation,  since  liear- 
ing  the  remarks  referred  to  at  the  beginning  of  this  report.  If  as 
cummander  of  the  brigade,  1  had  taken  upon  myself  the  responsibility 
of  advancing  upon  the  enemy,  without  first  feeling  his  position  with 
skirmishers,  then  I  might  justly  be  held  responsible  for  the  result. 
But  such  was  not  tlie  case. 

Before  the  advance  was  ordered,  we  were  told  that  the  brigade  was 
to  act  as  a  support  to  General  Breckinridge,  who  was  engaging  the 
enemy  in  front,  and  while  advancing,  we  Avere  Avarned,  again  and 
i'gain,  by  one  or  more  staff  officers,  not  to  fire  on  our  friends  in  front. 


245 

The  greater  part  of  the  2nd  Texas,  passed  over  an  open  field  and  the 
enemy  allowed  them  to  approach  near  their  lines  before  firing.  Even 
after  the  enemy  opened  fire,  the  officers  of  the  2nd  Texas  report,  the 
crder  was  still  given  not  to  fire  on  our  friends,  and  in  one  instance, 
after  a  private  returned  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  a  staft'  officer  rode 
up  and  drew  his  pistol,  threatening  to  *'  blow  off  the  man's  head  if  he 
fired  again."  Major  Runnels  reports,  that  while  the  order  not  to  fire 
was  being  repeated  to  the  regiment,  he  saw  that  the  force  in  front 
were  not  friends,  and  ordered  the  men  to  fire  and  charge  them :  but 
just  at  that  time  a  most  galling  fire  was  poured  into  the  regiment,  and 
the  cry  "  fall  back,"  being  heard  in  a  voice  unfamiliar  to  him,  he 
countermanded  the  order,  but  it  was  too  late  to  be  effective.  The  men 
fell  back  in  great  confusion,  with  the  result  detailed  in  my  former  re- 
port. I  doubt  not  that  our  failure  to  drive  back  the  enemy  at  tliis 
time  and  place,  may  be  attributed  wholly  to  the  mistake  regarding  the 
character  of  the  force  in  front,  the  multiplicity  of  the  commands,  and 
the  consequent  confusion  of  the  men,  not  knowing  wliom  to  obey. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  C.  MOORE, 
Conlonel  2nd  Tixas,  commanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JOSEPH  WHEELER. 


Headquarters  IDth  Regiment  Alabama  Volunteers,  ^ 

Camp  three  miles  from  the  Field  of  Shiloh,         > 

April  12th,  18G2.  > 

To  Captain  Joseph  B,  Cumming, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General^ 

5rd  Brigade,  Withers^  Division  : 

Captain  : — In  compliance  with  General  Order  No.  — ,  from  head- 
quarters of  this  army,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  Gth  inst.,  the  19th  regiment  Alabama  volunteers  formed  a  part 
of  General  Jackson's  brigade,  the  second  from  the  right  of  the  second 
line  of  battle.  When  the  first  line  opened  the  engagement,  a  few  of 
our  men  were  wounded  by  the  scattering  shots  of  the  enemy.  Wo 
were  then  ordered  forward  and  entered  the  most  advanced  Federal 
camps  behind  the  first  line.  We  were  then  directed  to  move  about  a 
railc  to  the  right  and  front,  where  we  formed  in  first  line  of  battle,  in 
which  we  continued  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  General  A.  S. 
Johnston  ordered  the  regiment  with  his  own  lips  to  charge  the  campa 
of  the  5!)th  Illinois  regiment,  to  do  which  it  was  necessary  to  pass 
down  a  deep  ravine  and  mount  a  steep  hill  on  the  other  side.  This 
duty  was  performed  by  the  regiment,  under  a  heavy  fire  from 
a  screened  foe,  with  rapidity,  regularity  and  cool  gallantry.  But 
little  resistance  was  oflfered  after  reaching  the  camps,  as  the  enemy 
fled  before  us  to  the  crest  of  another  ravine  back  of,  and  about  two 
hundred  yards  from,  their  camp.  After  forming  line  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy,  wc  were  ordered  to  lie  down  while  the  artillery  was  placed 
in  position  to  our  rear  and  fired  over  onr  heads  sufficiently  to  shake 
their  line.  The  regiment  then  moved  forward  rapidly,  driving  the 
enemy  before  it  and  dislodging  him  from  every  place  he  attempted  to 
make  a  stand,  taking  several  prisoners  and  killing  and  wounding  largd 
numbers.  It  was  now  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  regiment 
had  been  marching  and  fighting  since  half  past  six  A.  M.,  had  been 
through  three  of  the  enemy's  camps  and  in  three  distinct  engage- 
ments. The  enemy  being  now  driven  from  all  their  positions  on  our 
right,  we  were  ordered  to  march  to  the  left  and  centre  to  where  a 
heavy  fire  was  going  on.     The  regiment  changed  front,  forward  on  the 


247 

tenth  company,  anrl  marched  rapidly  by  the  right  of  companies  to  the 
front,  some  one  and  a  half  or  two  miles  in  the  direction  indicated, 
coming  upon  the  left  of  General  Chalm-er's  brigade.  The  regiment, 
while  marching  through  a  burning  woo<l,  encountered  a  heavy  fire, 
from  the  enemy,  who  were  drawn  up  in  front  of  and  to  the  right  of  a 
large  camp,  which  fire  the  regiment  returned  with  effect.  I  was  here 
met  by  General  Chalmers,  who  told  me  his  brigade  was  worn  out  and 
overpowered  by  superior  numbers,  and  said  the  troops  must  move  to 
his  assistance.  The  regiment  then  moved  quickly  to,  and  in  advance 
of  his  left,  and  dislodged  the  enemy  from  a  strong  position  they  had 
taken  in  large  force,  screened  by  a  ridge  and  house.  We  advanced 
about  two  hundred  yards,  the  enemy  having  retreated  a  short  distance 
to  another  hill,  where  they  were  reinforced,  and,  in  a  great  measure, 
secured  from  our  fire.  The  regiment  here  exhibited  an  example  of 
cool,  heroic  courage,  which  would  do  credit  to  soldiers  of  long  expe- 
rience in  battle.  Subjected  as  they  were  to  a  deadly  fire  of  artillery 
and  a  cross  fire  of  infantry,  they  stood  their  ground  with  firmness  and 
delivered  their  fire  rapidly,  but  with  cool  deliberation  and  good  effect. 
During  this  fire,  General  Chalmers'  brigade  having  retired  from  our 
view,  finding  it  necessary  to  move  to  the  right  in  order  to  support 
Colonel  Moore,  who  had  just  come  up  Avith  his  regiment  (the  2d  Texas), 
we  were  met  b}''  a  new  and  warm  fire,  which  was  vigorously  returned. 
At  this  moment  the  enemy  raised  a  white  flag,  which  caused  us  to 
slacken  our  fire,  but  as  a  large  force  of  theirs  to  the  left  of  our  front 
continued  a  heavy  fire,  probably  not  knowing  that  their  commander 
had  surrendered,  I  moved  the  regiment  a  few  yards  obliquely  to  the 
rear  to  secure  a  more  favorable  position.  His  fire  was  soon  silenced. 
Our  cavalry  moved  up  and  conducted  the  prisoners,  amounting  to 
about  three  thousand  men,  out  before  us.  The  regiment  was  then  or- 
dered to  take  charge  of  these  prisoners,  and  started  with  them  to  the 
rear,  but  was  halted  and  formed  in  line,  with  orders  to  charge  the 
enemy  to  the  river.  But  after  passing  through  the  deep  ravine  below 
the  lowest  camps,  we  were  halted  within  about  four  hundred  yards  of 
the  river,  and  remained  ready  to  move  forward  for  about  half  an  hour, 
when  night  came  on  and  we  were  ordered  to  the  rear,  and  were  as- 
signed to  bivouac  by  General  Withers.  During  all  of  this  movement, 
the  regiment  was  under  a  heavy  fire  from  their  gun-boats  and  other 
artillery. 

The  regiment  slept  on  their  arms  during  the  night.  Early  next 
morning.  General  llardee  came  up  with  a  body  of  troops  and  directed 
ine  to  join  him.  After  moving  back  a  short  distrnce  wc  were  met  by 
General  Withers,  who  took  immediate  comman<l  of  a  brigade  of  which 
the  19th  regiment  forme  I  a  part,  and  ordered  us  to  move  forward  to 
support  General  lircckinridge.  On  reaching  the  ground  we  were 
placed  on  General  Hardee's  left,  and  by  his  order  the  regiment  was 
deployed  as  skirmishers  before  his  entire  commaml.  After  being  again 
assembled  the  regiment  advanced  and  engaged  the  enemy.  About  11 
oVloek,  General  (lialmcr's  brigade  came  to  our  assistance,  and  wc 
remained  attached  to  his  brigade,  continually  engaging  the  enemy,  until 
wc  were  ordered  to  retire  in  the  cvcning,whcn  we  followed  his  brigade  a 


248 

short  (li.-tance  to  the  rear.  General  Withers  here  directed  mc  to  form 
a  brigade,  by  joining  my  regiment  to  some  other  troops  which  ho 
placed  under  my  command. 

After  the  remainder  of  the  army  had  passed  to  the  rear  of  this 
brigade,  the  final  order  "was  given  for  the  brigade  to  retire. 

Tins  is  a  brief  and  necessarily  imperfect  report  of  the  action  of  the 
regiment  during  the  time  called  for  by  your  order. 

Too  high  praise  cannot  be  accredited  to  the  company  officers  and 
men  for  their  conduct  during  the  entire  engagement.  Exposed  as 
they  had  been  for  two  nights  previously  to  drenching  rains  without 
tents,  and  with  little  covering,  they  were  of  course  somewhat  jaded  ; 
but  at  the  first  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns,  they  moved  forward  with 
a  cheerful  alacrity  and  ;  ood  order  that  showed  clearly  that  it  was  such 
music  as  they  loved.  Under  fire  almost  incestantly,  the  first  day,  they 
moved  from  one  position  to  another,  as  they  were  ordered,  not  only 
with  finiiness,  but  with  enthusiasm.  On  Monday  some  of  the  officers 
and  n^.en  were  so  exhausted  as  to  be  unable  longer  to  endure  the 
fatigues  of  the  march  and  battle.  The  remainder  evinced  the  most 
untiring  endurance  and  excelhnt  courage.  The  list  of  casualties 
herewith  presented,  amounting  to  thirty-three  and  a  third  per  cent,  of 
the  aggregate  strength  of  the  regiment  (both  officers  and  men)  on  the 
(ith  instant,  testifies  with  sufficient  eloquence  to  the  patriotic 
devotion  of  the  19th  Alabama  regiment.  One  stand  of  the 
enemy's  colors  was  taken  by  the  regiment,  which  has  been  previously 
forwarded.  The  gallantry  and  heroic  courage  of  the  field  and  stafi'. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  D.  Tracy  and  Mijor  McSpadden,  and  Adjutant 
Walker,  was  conspicuous.  Adjutant  Walker  was  wounded  on  the  6th 
and  ietir?d  from  the  field.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Tracy  had  his  horse 
shot  from  under  him  on  Monday,  and  during  the  entire  two  days  ex- 
hibited marked  coolness  and  noble  bearing.  lie,  together  Avith  Major 
McSpadden,  remained  with  the  regiment  from  the  beginning' of  the 
engagenjent  Sunday  morning,  until  its  termination  Monday  evening, 
liieutenants  Palmer,  ILigood,  Barry,  Neighbors,  Hods,  AndersDu  and 
B.  F.  Bolter,  and  Sergeant  Major  B.  L.  Griffitts,  also,  remained  with 
the  regiment  during  the  entire  two  days,  and  displayed  commendable 
fortitude  and  manly  courage. 

1  am,  Captain, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOSEPH  WHEELER. 
Colon!.,  Co}nmandins:  IQlk  llegimcnt, 

Alabama  Voluntctrs. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  GIRARDEY. 


Camp  Jacksov,  nkar  Corinth,  Miss., 

April  12,  1862. 

To  Captain  Jos,  B,  Cummings,  A.  A.  A.  General, 

Srd  Brigade,  C.  S.  A.,  of  the  Miss.  Withers  Division  : 

Captain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  on  Sunday  morning,  the 
6th  inst.,  the  battery  under  my  command  became  engaged  for  tlie  first 
time  about  9  o'clock,  with  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  whicli  I  observed 
to  be  contending  Avith  one  of  our  own  batteries.  The  battery  of  the 
enemy  being  thus  exposed  to  two  fires,  was  soon  silenced.  In  this 
engagement,  we  sustained  no  loss,  notwithstanding  the  enemy's  fire 
was  skilfully  directed  towards  us.  The  enemy's  battery  was  posted  in 
rear  of  a  camp,  that  was  located  about  the  center  of  the  first  line  of 
their  cam])?.  One  of  my  cannoneers,  after  the  engagement,  went  to 
where  the  battery  was  stationed  and  returned  with  their  colors,  which 
I  forwarded  to  Gen.  AVithers,  commanding  2nd  division. 

After  leaving  this  camp,  I  received  orders  to  take  position  in  front 
of  the  brigade  on  a  hill  facing  the  camp  of  the  enemy.  In  placing 
the  battery  in  po  ition,  I  observed  some  of  the  enemy's  skirmishers 
stationed  behind  trees,  in  a  deep  ravine  on  the  left  and  front  of  the 
hill.  This  fact  was  clearly  established,  as  I  was  fired  at  by  several 
and  immediately  Lieut.  A.  Spelicrs  of  my  company,  shot  one  of 
them  with  a  Y«inkcc  rifle,  that  was  taken  from  the  enemy,  by  one  of 
my  cannonicrs.  I  reported  the  same  to  the  General  commanding  the 
brignde,  and  askc<l  for  skirmishers  to  encounter  the  enemy  (while 
placing  my  guns  in  a  position  to  fire  down  the  ravine),  which  request 
was  complied  with.  In  this  engagement  Lieuts.  liarnes  and  Speliers' 
sections  were  brought  into  action,  the  other  could  not  be  placed  in  an 
advantageous  position  ;  we  first  fired  some  canister  upon  the  enemy  in 
the  ravine,  and  then  shelled  their  camp,  we,  consequently,  sustained 
no  loss  in  this  engagement.  From  this  place,  we  pushed  forward  on 
the  enemy's  camp,  from  which  they  had  retreated  and  formed  on  a 
ridge  to  the  riglit,  where  they  were  screened  by  a  dense  growth  of 
bushes;  I  placed  four  pieces  of  my  battery  fronting  the  enemy  at  a 
distance  of  about  one  hundred  y-'^rda.  and  two  pieces  flanking  them  on 
the  right.  We  commenced  firing  with  canister,  which  we  continued  to 
use  with  terrible  effect,  they  resisting  us  with  desperate  valor.     In 


250 

this  cnjrajE^eraent,  Lieut.  J.  J.  Jacobus  fell  mortally  wounded  '.vliilc 
gallantly  commanding  his  section.  Gunner  A.  Koesel  was  killed  while 
aiming  his  gun  ;  both  were  shot  through  the  forehead  by  rifle  or  mus- 
ket balls.  Lieut.  C.  Speath  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm.  John 
Ilalbert  shot  through  both  arms.  J.  T.  Nethercus  shot  through  the 
neck.  Tho's  J.  Murphy  and  S.  A.  Ingolls  in  the  hip — all  bravely  en- 
gaged at  their  posts.  Our  loss  in  this  engagement  would  hive  been 
greater,  had  it  not  been  for  the  brave  charge  made  by  the  regiments, 
under  our  gallant  commander,  Brig.  Gen.  Jackson. 

In  three  subsequent  engagements,  during  the  day,  we  sustained  no 
loss,  excepting  two  horses  wounded.  A  limber  from  one  of  my  pieces 
being  broken,  I  took  07ic  from  the  broken  battery  captured  (in  the 
morning's  engagement),  of  th-e  enemy  and  attached  it  to  my  gun. 
Also  replenished  my  stock  of  ammunition  from  that  of  the  enemy;  (the 
Yankee  ammunition  is  in  capital  order,  especially  the  friction  tubes, 
which  are  superior  to  ours  ;  they  were  of  good  service  in  our  subse- 
quent engagement).  On  Monday  morning,  the  7th  instant,  iny  batte- 
ry being  separated  from  the  brigade,  I  proceeded  forward,  towards  the  A 
enemy's  line.  Approaching  Brig.  Gen.  Claiborn's  command,  I  discov-  ^ 
ered  the  enemy's  line  in  the  woods  beyond  an  open  field.  They  attempted 
to  form  in  the  rear  of  Gen,  Claiborn's  command,  who  was  stationed  on 
my  right.  I  took  position  directly  in  front  of  the  enemy  and  engaged 
them  for  a  few  minutes,  when  they  shifted  their  position,  fronting  Gen. 
Claiborn's  command.  1  then  changed  front  to  the  left,  to  support  Gen. 
Claiborn,  whose  forces  had  made  no  demonstration  to  prevent  the  ene- 
my's position. 

The  enemy's  battery  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  us,  killing  two 
of  my  horses  and  disabling  several,  also  wounding  two  of  my 
cannoniers,  (P.  C.  Buckley  by  a  shell  and  B.  Wolfe  by  a  musket  ball), 
flesh  wounds,  both  in  action  at  their  posts.  Having  expended  the  am- 
munition of  two  pieces  engaged,  the  caissons  of  same  being  detained 
in  passing  a  branch  of  a  ravine,  I  ordered  them  to  fall  back,  and 
withdrew  the  three  that  were  in  charge  of  Lieuts.  Barnes  and  Spe- 
licrs,  to  form  on  the  right  (during  the  movement,  the  infantry  engaged 
the  enemy),  they  having  lost  several  horses,  were  compelled  to  leave 
one  of  tiieir  pieces.  I  returned  to  get  ray  piece — in  passing  the  ene- 
my's camp,  near  the  open  field,  I  perceived  the  enemy  moving  towards 
our  left,  and  I  immediately  engaged  them,  and  was  joined  by  Capt. 
Robinson's  battery  (without  any  support  of  infantry  near)  in  the  midst 
of  a  heavy  and  fierce  fire  of  the  enemy's  battery,  I  received  orders 
to  cease  firing.  Our  ]}rigade,  (3d),  just  then  passing,  I  joined  and 
followed  them  in  accordance  to  orders,  under  tne  impression  to  make 
an  attack  upon  some  other  point.  I  was  then  called  on  to  detail  my 
cannoniers,  to  man  a  battery  in  Gen.  Breckinridge's  command,  to  which 
I  complied.  Vie  arrived  in  camp  on  Tuesday,  the  8th  inst.,  and  on 
the  9th  received  orders  to  return  to  Monterey.  It  was  impossible  for 
the  entire  battery  to  proceed  forward  on  account  of  the  used  up  and 
worn  out  condition  of  our  horses,  also  much  of  our  harness  being 
broken  and  unserviceable.  One  section  is  now,  and  since  that  time, 
on  duty  at  Monterey. 


251 

I  omitted  to  state,  that  at  the  place  of  engagement  where  Lieut. 
Jacobus  fell,  Corporal  Hughes  captured  a  banner,  and  private  Hill  a 
markers  flag,  which  I  forwarded  to  Gen.  Withers.  I  also  forwarded 
nine  (9)  muskets  to  the  Ordnance  depot.  Corporal  J.  Van  Dohlen,  of 
iny  company,  during  the  entire  actions  of  both  days,  gave  evidence  of 
distinguished  coui'age  and  bravery.  In  conclusion,  allow  me  to  state 
that  the  entire  command  throughout  the  action,  fought  with  cool  and 
determined  bravery,  and  I  trust  contributed  much  towards  our  suc- 
cessful efforts  on  the  battle  field. 

I  remain.  Captain,  with  high  consideration, 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  ob't  servant, 

J.  P.  GIRARDEY, 
Captain  commanding  Washington  Light  Artillery, 

Geo  rgia  Volu  n  t  cers . 

P.  S. — Wm.  II.  Pool  was  wounded  in  the  breast  by  a  musket  ball. 
Wm.  II.  Stanley,  shoulder  dislocated — fell  from  horse,  while  on  his 
march  on  the  field,  on  the  Gth  inst. 


/ 


RErORT  OF  BIUGADIER  GENERAL  RUGGLES,  COMMAND- 
ING DIVISION. 


IIfadquautkrs  Rugglks'  Division.  2nd  Corps,  A.  M.,  ^ 
CoRiNTir,  Miss.,  April  25,  1862.      S 

To  Jlajor  G.  G.  Garner, 

Assistant  Afijtitant  General: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  services 
of  my  division  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Tennessee,  on  the  Gth  and  7th 
instants: 

On  Sunday  morning  the  6th  instant,  at  daybreak,  the  three  brigades 
composing  ray  division  occupied  the  position  in  line  of  battle,  in 
double  column  at  half  distance,  which  had  been  under  the  orders  of 
the  previous  day  indicated,  extending  from  the  Bark  road  on  the 
right,  toward  Owl  creek  on  the  left,  a  distance  of  some  two  miles. 
Major  Genejfal  Hardee's  advance  extending  from  the  Bark  road  a  short 
distance  towards  my  left,  constituted  ray  first  line. 

About  sunrise  I  sent  orders  to  the  commanders  of  brigades  to 
advance  with  deploying  internals,  taking  the  first  as  the  brigade  of 
direction. 

Soon  afterwards,  receiving  orders  from  Major  General  Bragg,  I 
directed  Colonel  li.  L.  Gibson's  first  brigade  to  march  by  the  right 
flank  across  the  Bark  road,  and  then  advance  in  support  of  the  first 
line  as  previously  ordered. 

I  then  made  dispositions  as  ra[)idly  as  possible,  to  insure  conformity 
on  the  part  of  the  other  brigades  of  my  division  with  this  change  of 
plan. 

The  commander  of  the  3d  brigade.  Colonel  Preston  Pond,  had  been 
already  directed  to  throw  one  regiment  of  infantry,  and  a  section  of 
(.■ajttain  Ketchum's  guns  into  position  on  the  Owl  creek  road,  and  pre- 
vent his  turning  our  left  flank. 

Four  cojTipanies  of  cavalry,  under  Captains  J.  T.  Jenkins,  (com- 
manding) A,  Tomlenson,  J.  J.  Cox  and  J.  Robins,  covered  our  right 
and  left  flank. 

lieturning  from  a  rapid  supervision  along  the  line,  when  approach- 
ing the  Bark  road,  the  enemy  opened  fire  from  point  to  point  in  rapid 
succession,  driving  back  some  troops  of  the  first  line. 

The  Washington  Artillery,  under  Captain  Hodgson,  was  then 
brought  forward,  and  two  howitzers  and  two  rifled  guns,  commanded 


253 

by  Lieutenant  Slocumb,  with  two  guns  umJer  Major  IIoop,  were 
put  in  position  on  the  crest  of  a  ridge  near  an  almost  impenetrable 
boggy  thicket,  ranging  along  our  front,  and  opened  a  destructive  fire 
in  response  to  the  enemy's  batteries,  then  sweeping  our  lines  a'  short 
range,  I  also  sent  orders  to  Brigadier  General  Anderson  to  advance 
rapidly  with  his  second  brigade,  and  as  soon  as  he  came  up  I  directed 
a  charge  against  the  enemy,  in  which  some  of  the  6th  Mississippi 
and  second  Tennessee  joined.  At  the  same  time  I  directed  other 
troops  to  move  rapidly  by  the  right,  to  turn  the  enemy's  position 
beyond  the  swamp,  and  that  the  field  artillery  follow  as  soon  as 
masked  by  the  movement  of  the  infantiy.  Under  these  movements, 
vigorously  executed,  after  a  spirited  contest,  the  enemy's  whole  line 
gave  way,  and  our  advance  took  possession  of  the  camp  and  batteries 
ajjainst  which  the  charge  was  made.  I  sent,  then,  orders  to  Colonel 
Pond  to  advance  rapidly  the  3d  brigade,  swinging  to  the  right,  meet- 
ing the  development  of  the  enemy's  line  of  fire,  sweeping  the  camp  on 
the  left,  and  to  prevent  surprise  on  his  left  flank. 

Subsequently,  I  sent  orders  to  Colonel  Looney's  38th  regiment 
Ternessee,  and  the  section  of  Kctchum's  battery,  then  on  the  Owl 
creek  road,  to  conform  to  these  movements.  In  the  meantime,  the 
first  brigade  (Gibson's)  united  with  Brigadier  General  Ilindinan's  ad- 
vance, after  having  driven  the  enemy  from  their  camp,  on  our  right, 
engaged  in  repeated  charges  against  the  enemy's  new  line,  now  held 
on  the  margin  of  an  open  field  swept  by  his  fire. 

The  enemy's  camps  on  our  left  being  apparcntry  cleared,  I  endeavored 
to  concentrate  forces  on  his  right  flank  in  this  new  position,  and 
directed  Captain  Hodgson's  battery  into  action  there.  The  fire  of 
this  battery  and  a  charg(>  from  the  2d  brigade  put  the  enemy  to  flight. 
Even  after  having  been  driven  back  from  this  position,  the  enemy 
rallied  and  disputed  the  ground  with  rcpiarkable  tenacity  for  some  two 
or  three  hours  against  our  forces  in  front,  and  his  right  flank,  where 
cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery  mingled  in  the  conflict. 

As  the  enemy  finally  gave  way,  1  directed  the  movement  of  the 
second  brigade  toward  the  right  along  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  toilowing 
the  line  of  the  enemy's  continued  resistance,  and  sent  a  section  of 
Ketchum's  battery  into  action,  on  a  roal  leading  towards  I'ittshurg, 
in  a  position  overlooking  the  broken  slope  btdow,  to  reply  to  batteries 
nearly  in  front  and  in  the  forest  to  the  right,  with  which  the  enemy 
swept  a  large  circuit  around,  sending  aho  Colonel  Smith's  Louisiana 
Crescent  regiment  (3d  brigade)  to  support  this  battery,  then  harrassed 
by  skirmishers,  and  to  seize  the  opportunity  to  charge  the  enemy's 
posi  ion.  I  then  put  a  section  of  guns  in  position  on  the  roa<l  leading 
along  the  ridge  still  farther  to  the  right,  which  w;is  forced  soon  to  retire 
under  tlie  concentrated  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery.  Discovering  the 
enemy  in  considerable  numbers  moving  through  the  forest  on  the  lower 
margin  of  the  open  field  in  front,  1  obtained  Trabue's  an<l  Standford's 
light  batteries,  am]  brought  them  into  action  ami  directed  their  firo 
on  masi-cs  of  the  enemy  then  ])rcssing  forward  towards  our  right,  en- 
gaged in  a  fierce  contest  with  our  forces  then  advancing  against  him 
in  that  direction.     For  a  brief  p«viod  the  enemy  apparently  gained 


254 

ground,  and  when  the  conflict  was  at  its  height  these  batteries  opened 
upon  his  concentrated  forces,  producing  immediate  commotion,  and 
Boon  resulted  in  the  precipitate  retreat  of  the  enemy  from  the  contest. 

At  this  moment,  the  2nd  brigade  and  the  Crescent  regiment  pressed 
forward  and  cut  off  a  considerable  portion  of  the  enemy,  who  sur- 
rendered. 

Subsequently,  while  advancing  towards  the  river,  I  received  instruc- 
tions from  General  Bragg  to  carry  forward  all  the  troops  I  could  find, 
and  while  assemblirg  a  considerable  force  ready  for  immediate  action, 
I  received  from  Colonel  Augustin  notice  of  General  Beauregard's 
orders  to  withdraw  from  the  iurthcr  pursuit,  and  finding  soon  after- 
vrards  that  the  forces  were  falling  back,  I  retired  with  them,  just  as 
night  set  in,  to  the  open  field  in  rear,  and  as  I  received  no  further 
orders,  I  directed  General  Anderson  and  Colonel  Gibson  to  hold  their 
troo])S  in  readiness  with'  their  arms  cleaned  and  cartridges  supplied, 
for  service  the  next  morning. 

For  the  movement  of  the  3rd  brigade  during  the  day,  sweeping  the 
left  around  towards  the  enemy's  center,  and  the  position  held  during 
the  night,  reference  is  made  to  the  report  of  Colonel  Pond,  the  brigade 
commander. 

On  the  morninoj  of  the  7th.  about  G  o'clock,  a  messajre  from  Colonel 
Pond  gave  notice  that  the  enemy  were  in  his  front  in  force,  and  that 
he  wouhl  endeavor  to  hold  him  in  check,  until  he  should  receive  rein- 
forcements. My  1st  and  2nd  brigades  moved  immediately  to  the  field, 
and  joined  Colonel  Pond  in  his  position. 

Some  time  afterwards.  Colonel  Poi.d's  brigade  was  ordered  to  the 
right,  and  Colonel  Gibson's  then  occupied  the  left,  with  a  part  of  which, 
and  some  two  companies  of  cavalry,  we  made  the  attempt  to  charge 
the  enemy's  right  flank,  and  silence  a  battery  there,  in  which  we  only 
partially  succeeded,  with  Colonel  Fagan's  1st  Arkansas  regiment, from 
the  exhausted  condition  of  the  infa-ntry,  and  fruitless  attempt  of  the 
cavalry. 

We  succeeded,  however,  after  having  silenced  and  dislodged  the 
battery,  in  maintaining  a  position  well  advanced  upon  the  enemy's 
flank,  until  recalled  and  moved  to  the  center  and  left  of  our  line,  where 
the  conflict  raged  most  fiercely  for  some  hours  with  varying  fortune, 
until  on  the  approach  of  night  our  troops  were  withdrawn  from  the 
field. 

In  falling  back,  I  commanded  the  artillery,  infantry  and  cavalry, 
constituting  the  second  line  or  rear  guard  of  the  movement. 

In  these  successive  conflicts,  covering  a  period  of  nearly  two  days, 
the  troops  of  my  division  displayed  almost  uniformly  great  bravery 
and  personal  gallantry,  worthy  of  veterans  in  the  cause. 

The  regiments  were  remarkable  for  their  steadiness  in  action,  the 
maintenance  of  their  organization  in  the  field,  and  their  good  conduct 
generally  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  these  battles. 

In  consequence  of  the  hurried  nature  of  my  report,  I  shall  not  enter 
into  details  touching  the  personal  conduct  of  many  ofiiccrs  and  men 
distinguished  for  their  gallantry,  or  the  special  and  signal  services  of 
regiments.     Commending,  howcver,*thc  reports  of  brigade,  regimental 


255 

and  independent  company  commanders,   in  all   particulars  to  special 
consideration. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  services  on  the  field, 
promptly  and  galhintly  rendered,  of  Captain  Roy  M.  Ilooe,  Assistant 
Adjutant  General, 'and  1st  Lieutenant  M.  B.  Ruggles,  aid-de-camp, 
throughout  the  successive  conflicts  ;  of  Lieutenant  L".  D.  Sandidgc, 
Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  the  greater  part  of  both  days; 
of  Major  John  Claiborne,  Chief  Quartermaster,  a  part  of  the  first  day  ; 
of  Surgeon  F.  W.  Hereford,  Chief  Surgeon,  slightly  wounded,  who 
rendered  important  services  in  the  field  until  the  wounded  required  his 
professional  services  ;  of  Major  I].  S.  Ruggles,  volunteer  aid-do- camp, 
until  disabled  in  the  left'  arm  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell  near  the  close 
of  the  first  day;  of  Captain  G.  M.  Beck,  volunteer  aid-de-camp,  and 
of  Colonel  S.  S.  Heard,  Louisiana  volunteers,  who  volunteered  and 
rendered  important  services  en  the  field  both  df.ys,  and  of  Dr.  P.  S. 
Sandidge,  who  volunteered  professionally,  and  although  partially 
disabled  by  being  thrown  against  a  tree,  accompanied  me  to  the  end  of 
the  contest.  Major  lloUinquist,  chief  of  artillery,  rendered  me 
important  services  during  a  part  of  the  second  day. 

1  have  to  regret  the  loss  of  Lieutenant  Benjamin  King,  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant  General,  killed  during  the  first  day,  and  of  private 
Maunscl  AV.  Chapman,  of  7th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  my 
secretary,  towards  the  close  of  the  second  day,  and  of  corporal  Adam 
Cleniger,  and  prirate  John  Stemakcr,  of  Captain  Cox's  cavalry,  who 
were  killed  while  serving  as  couriers  under  my  immediate  orders. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

DANIEL  RUGGLES, 
Brigadier  General  C.  S.  A  ,  Comd^g  Division. 


REPORT  OF  COL.  RANDALL  LEE  GIBSON,  COMMANDING 
FIRST  BRIGADE,  RUGGLES'  DIVISION. 


IlKADQUARTt  RS  FiRST    BrIOAOE, 

KuGGLEs'  Division,  Corinth,  Mississippi, 
Jpril  nth,  1862. 

Captain  11.  M.  IIooe, 

Assistant-  Adjutant  General : 

StH  :  I  l;:ive  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  hy  the  1st  brigade,  lluggles'  ili  vision  :  composed  of  the  19th 
regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  Colonel  B.  Jj.  Ilodge;  1st  Arkansas 
regiment,  Colonel  James  Fagan  ;  13th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers. 
Major  A.  P.  xVvegno,  commanding;  and  the  4th  regiment  Louisiana 
volunteers.  Colonel  II.  W.  Allen,  in  the  action  of  the  Gth  and  7th  inst. 
At  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  Gth,  the  brigade  was  posted  on  the 
right  of  Rn.fgles'  division  and  held  in  double  column  at  half  distance, 
by  command  of  Jirii^adier  General  ltu<;gles ;  the  n;rht  resting  on  the 
old  Ridge  road.  Its  position  was  :ifterwiirds  changed  further  to  the 
right ;  the  left  brought  up  to  the  old  Ridge  road  by  order  of  Major 
(jrencral  Bragg.  I  was  then  ordered  to  march  rapidly  by  the  right 
Hank  to  the  support  of  Brigadier  General  Ilindman.  In  the  execution 
of  this  order,  we  passed  Avithin  reach  .of  a  battery  of  the  enemy  on 
our  left,  from  the  fire  of  which  several  casualties  resulted.  Proceeding 
again  by  the  loft  flAnk,  in  line  of  battle,  ■we  marched  through  the  ene- 
my's camp,  and  up  to  the  battery,  which  was  taken  at  the  instant  by 
the  first  line.  It  was  at  this  point  that  we  first  opened  fire  on  the 
enemy. 

.  I  was  then  commanded  by  Major  General  Bragg,  to  attack  the  enemy 
in  a  position  to  the  front  and  right.  The  brigade  moved  forward  in 
fine  style,  marching  through  an  open  field  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  half 
way  up  an  elevation  covered  with  an  almost  impenetrable  thicket,  upon 
whicli  the  enemy  was  posted.  On  the  left  a  battery  opened,  that  raked 
our  tiank,  while  a  stea<ly  fire  of  musketry  extended  along  the  entire 
front.  Under  this  combined  fire,  our  lines  were  broken  and  the  troops 
fell  back.  But  they  were  soon  rallied  and  advanced  to  the  contest. 
Four  times  the  position  was  charged  ;   four  times  the  assault  proved 


257 

unavailing.  The  strong  and  almost  inaccessible  position  of  the  enemy; 
his  infantry  well  covered  in  ambush,  and  his  artillery  skillfully  posted 
and  efficiently  served,  was  found  to  be  iniprej^nnble  to  infantry  alone. 
We  were  repulsed.  Our  men,  however,  bore  their  repulse  with  steadi- 
ness. 

When  a  larger  force  of  infantry  and  artillery  was  moved  to  flank 
this  position  on  the  right,  a  part  of  the  brigade  formed  on  the  left  of 
the  assaulting  line,  and  a  part  held  a  position  to  the  rear  in  the  old 
field  near  by.  The  enemy  was  driven  from  his  position.  From  this, 
his  retreat  became  precipitate,  and  in  obedience  to  orders,  we  moved 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army  towards  the  river. 

I  was  again  commanded  by  llrigadier  General  Ruggles,  to  retire 
my  command  from  the  fire  of  the  gun-boats.  In  this  movement,  con- 
siderable disorder  ensued,  owing  to  the  fact  that  all  the  troops  were 
closely  massed  near  the  river.  My  whole  command  was  kept  together 
for  the  night,  except  the  19th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers.  Colonel 
B.  L.  Hodge;  who,  in  spite  of  my  exertions  and  his  own,  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  reporting  to  me  until  after  the  battle  of  the  7th. 

We  had  hardly  taken  position  in  lino  of  battle  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  Brigadier  Crcneral  Ruggles,  early  on  the  morning  ol 
the  7th  instant,  when  I  was  ordered  to  advance  a  certain  distance  and 
then  oblique  to  the  right.  An  abrupt  descent  of  fifty  or  sixty  feet, 
perhaps  more,  from  a  ridge  to  a  swamp,  added  very  much  to  the  fatigue 
of  the  men  and  disturbed  very  decidedly  the  regularity  and  rapidity 
of  this  movement. 

At  the  command,  however,  to  charge  a  battery,  on  the  right  flank  of 
which  we  were  marching,  they  advanced  with  enthusiasm  and  captured 
a  field  battery  from  the  enemy  under  a  galling  fire.  Finding  that  a 
battery  was  playing  upon  us  from  the  right,  while  the  enemy  was  at- 
tempting to  throw  forward  a  heavy  force  on  our  left,  with  a  view  of 
assailing  our  own  battery  to  our  rear  and  circumventing  my  entire 
command,  I  withdrew  the  brigade  into  a  ravine  and  threw  forward  a 
portion  of  the  troops  to  my  left,  whose  steady  fire  drove  back  the  ad- 
vancing lines.  1  also  sent  forward  ofricers  to  1)ring  down  the  battery 
we  had  captured,  from  the  summit  of  the  hill  upon  which  our  flag  was 
posted,  with  a  view  of  opening  its  guns  on  the  enemy,  but  the  want 
of  ammunition   prevented  this. 

At  about  this  moment,  I  was  ordered  to  proceed,  in  all  haste,  to  the 
position  assigned  me  in  the  morning,  near  which  the  battle  was  now 
hotly  contested.  The  route  avc  were  obliged  to  take,  was,  at  times, 
very  abrupt,  thickly  covered  with  undergrowth  and  filled  with  swampy 
bottoms.  My  men  were  considerably  jaded  and  scattered  in  the  rapid 
march,  but  just  so  soon  as  they  couM  be  formed  in  line  and  replenished 
with  ammunition,  they  were  hurried  into  the  fight.  lender  the  inspi- 
ration of  tlie  presence  of  our  superior  oflicers,  General.^  Beauregard 
and  Ruggles,  men  already  sinking  with  fatigue  or  wound.",  rallied 
again  and  entered  the  lines.  It  was  impossible  to  preserve  much  order 
in  this  movement.  Colonel  Fagan,  Ist  Arkansas.  le<l  his  regiment  to 
the  charge.  Major  Avegno,  the  iSlh  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunter, — Colonel  Allen,  having  bo-n  wounded  the 
17 


258 

day  j)reviou3, — rallied  the  4th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers.  The 
regiments  were  somewhat  mixed,  but  altogether  the  brigade  moved 
forward.  We  continued  the  conflict  until  the  forces  generally  retired, 
and  at  the  last  position  near  the  hospital,  it  was  gratifying  to  see  so 
many  officers  and  men  of  the  brigade  formed  in  line  ready  to  meet  the 
enemv.  Under  orders  from  Major  General  Bragg,  I  moved  to  the 
rear  and  encamped  at  Monterey.  Such  was  the  part,  brieiiy  stated, 
borne  by  the  1st  brigade  in  the  engagements  of  the  6th  and  7th  inst. 
It  is  not  my  duty  to  laud  cither  the  olficers  or  the  men.  A  report  an- 
nexed, will  sho^Y  the  loss  it  sustained  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
That  regiments  thrown  together  for  the  first  time,  should  have  moved 
throughout  the  battle  with  precision  and  celerity,  was  scarcely  to  be 
expected.  But  that  their  disposition  was  good,  cannot  be  questioned. 
A  loss  of  nearly  one  third  of  the  command  in  killed,  wounded  and 
missing,  of  itself,  proclaims  the  steadfast  valor  of  the  men.  The 
names  of  the  brave  dead  will  be  treasured  in  the  hearts  of  their  coun- 
trymen. Their  gallant  deeds  shall  immortalize  the  last  scene  of  Con- 
feJcratc  triumph,  and  inspire  their  surviving  comrades  with  the  desire 
to  emulate  their  examples 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson,  Captains  Gibson,  McMahon  and 
several  other  officers  of  the  1st  Arkansas,  and  Captain  Hilliard  of  the 
4lh  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  fell  at  the  head  of  their  men  on 
the  1st  day,  as  patriots  fall  for  country  and  firesides.  They  were 
noble  Roldiora.  On  the  second  day  the  gallant  Captain  Tooraen  was 
killed  urging  forward  his  men.  Major  A.  P.  Avegno,waa  dangerously 
wjunded  rallying  his  command  on  the  second  day.  Colonel  Hodge, 
19th,  Colonel  IL  W.  Allen  4th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  and 
Colonel  Fagan  Ist  Arkansas,  were  everywhere.  So,  likewise  were 
Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  E.  Hunter,  4th  regiment  Louisiana,  and  Captain 
r)iibr(>ca,  13th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  while  in  command  of 
their  respective  regiments.  Many  of  the  companies  of  the  diilerent 
regiments  were  left  without  officers.  In  the  capture  of  the  battery  on 
the  second  day,  the  officers  and  men  discovered  the  qualities  of  true 
jtnd  heroic  soldiers.  It  was  in  the  first  charge  on  the  Gth,  that  Lieu- 
((•nant  Ben  King,  was  mortally  wounded.  Although  recently  pro- 
moted to  the  stafl"  of  Brigadier  General  lluggles,  he  was  acting  as  my 
aid,  and  up  to  the  moment  that  he  received  his  mortal  wound,  bore  him- 
8idf  with  great  coolness  and  gallantry.  lie  h;id  long  been  associated 
Viitii  me,  an<l  his  loss  deprived  his  country  of  one  of  its  most  accom- 
plished, brave  and  devoted  officers.  lie  fell  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty,  and  was  borne  from  the  field  without  a  word,  but  of  good  cheer 
to  those  near  him.  Among  the  living,  where  all  acted  well,  it  would 
be  perhaps  invidious  to  mention  any  who  may  have  rendered  them- 
selves more  conspicuous  than  others. 

Mr.  Robert  I*ugh,  as  my  aid  on  the  Gth,  rendered  valuable  services, 
and  Lieutenant  II.  II.  Bein,  A.  A,  A.  G.,  also  during  the  same  day, 
was  of  very  great  assistance  to  me. 

The  loss  of  80  many  brave  officers  and  true  men  together  with  th» 
hardships  endured  in  falling  back  to  this  point,  had  at  first  a  depress- 


I 


259 

ing  effect  on  the  command,  but  it  is  rallying  very  fast,  and  will  again 
move  forward  with  resolution  to  meet  our  defeated  foe. 
I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  Captain, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

RANDALL  LEE  GIBSON,  • 
Colonel  commanding  First  Brigade, 

Ruggles''  Division. 


*> 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  B.  L.  IIODGE. 


Headquarters  of  19th  Regiment  La.  Vols.,  ) 
V  Corinth,  Miss.      ) 

To  Colonel  R.  L.  Gibson, 

Commanding  \st  Brigade, 

Ruggles'  Division  : 

Sir  : — In  pursuance  ■with  your  orders,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit 
crewith  a  brief  report  of  the  part  taken  by  my  regiment  in  the  en- 
f;agements  v,\t]\  the  enemy,  on  the  6th  and  7th  instant,  at  Shiloh 
chuich. 

Mv  regiment  being  on  the  right  of  the  1st  brigade,  of  the  division 
commaniled  l)y  Brigadier  General  Haggles, was  bivouacked  on  the  night 
of  the  oth  inst.,  immediately  to  tlie  riglit  of  the  "Bark,"  or  "Old  Bark 
road,"  as  I  understood  the  road  to  be  called  that  led  to  the  enemy's 
encampment.  At  half  past  five  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  morning  of 
the  Ctli,  we  commenced  the  march,  and  in  accordance  with  your  orders,  1 
conducted  the  regiment  so  as  to  leave  space  for  the  Isf  Arkansas  regi- 
ment. Colonel  Fagan,  which  was  immediately  on  our  left,  to  deploy 
into  line. 

Advancing  to  the  front  in  conformity  witli  these  instructions,  my 
command  soon  crossed  over  to  the  right  of  the  road,  whc!i  General 
Bragg  himself,  in  person,  ordered  me  so  to  conduct  my  regiment  for- 
ward, that  when  formed  into  line  of  battle  iho  said  road  sliould  be  im- 
mediately on  my  right. 

Having  re-passed  to  the  left  of  the  road,  I  continued  to  move  for- 
-ward  rapidly,  until  we  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy's  camp,  when,  by 
your  order  tlirough  Mr.  Pugh,  1  halted  the  regiment,  having  pre- 
viously deployed  tliem  into  line.  At  this  time  my  regiment  was  in  the 
woods,  the  1st  Arkansas  on  my  left,  in  a  held.  Immodiatcly  after  our 
line  halted,  a  battery  of  the  .enemy,  posted  on  an  eminence  to  the  left 
^nd  rear  of  their  front  line  of  camps,  opened  on  us  witli  shot  and 
shell.  Although  exposed  to  this  fire  for  fully  half  an  hour,  only  two 
•  of  my  men  were  wounded  ;  the  guns  of  the  enemy  at  this  point  being 
served  with  little  eiTect,  except  upon  the  tree  tops  around  us.  This 
'battery  having  been  captured  by  the  troops  of  some  other  command, 
and  our  brigade  having  been  moved  forward  a  short  distance  beyond 
:the  outer  line  of  the  enemy's  camps,  my  regiment  upon  the  verge  of 
aa  old  ficM,  we  for  the  first  time  engaged  the  enemy.     Seeing  that 


I 


261 

the  distance  was  too  great  for  our  arms  to  do  execution,  we  ceased 
firing  after  two  or  three  rounds.  The  enemy  again  noticed  our  pres- 
ence by  a  few  shell,  but  with  even  less  effect  than  before. 

From  this  point  we  moved  about  half  a  mile  to  the  right  and  a  little 
in  advance.  Passing  through  a  wheat  field,  we  crossed  a  road  leading 
in  the  direction  of  Hamburg.  At  this  time  the  1st  Arkansas  and  my 
regiment  were  well  together  in  line,  as  I  could  see  while  passing 
through  the  field.  Just  after  crossing  the  road,  my  regiment  entered 
a  small  farm,  a  log  cabin  near  the  centre,  our  line  extending  across 
the  field.  Wo  had  advanced  midway  the  little  farm,  which  is  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  in  width,  when  the  enemy,  lying  in  ambush 
about  eighty  or  one  hundred  yards  beyond  the  outer  fence,  and  directly 
in  our  front,  opened  fire  upon  our  entire  line.  Although  the  fire  was 
not  expected  at  the  moment,  the  advance  of  the  regiment  was  not 
checked  in  the  slightest  degree,  but  moving  forward  steadily  to  the 
fence,  the  men  commenced  to  deliver  their  fire  at  will.  Owing  to  the 
impenetrable  undergrowth  between  the  enemy's  position  and  ours,  I 
was  unable  to  see  him,  and  from  the  manner  of  the  men  looking  through 
the  bushes  as  if  hunting  an  object  for  their  aim,  it  was  apparent  that 
they  too  were  unable  to  descry  the  concealed  foe,  and  were  only  firing 
at  the  flash  of  the  enemy's  pieces.  Seeing  that  my  men  were  being 
rapidly  shot  down,  and  having  no  reason  to  believe  that  we  were  in- 
flicting equal  injury  upon  the  enemy,  I  gave  the  order  to  cease  firing 
and  charge  bayonets.  Officers  and  men  alike  obeyed  the  order  promptly. 
Sc  dense  and  impenetrable  became  the  thicket  of  undergrowth,  that  after 
my  men  had  boldly  forced  their  way  twenty  or  thirty  steps  into  it,  and  it 
seeming  impossible  to  make  further  progress,  I  again  gave  the  order 
to  commence  firing.  The  regiment  now  gradually  fell  back  to  the 
fence.  Finding  that  the  enemy  were  now  opening  across  fire  upon  us 
from  our  left,  and  seeing  a  large  number  of  my  small  command  killed 
and  wounded,  I  deemed  it  my  duty  to  order  the  regiment  to  fall  back 
to  the  other  side  of  the  little  farm,  which  was  accordingly  done  in 
good  order.  In  this  unequal  contest,  unequal  on  account  of  the  ene- 
my's local  position,  the  regiment  sustained  heavy  loss.  In  this  one 
action,  out  of  little  less  than  three  hundred,  we  hail  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded,  between  forty  and  fifty  as  brave  and.  gallant  men  as  ever 
risked  their  lives  in  the  defence  of  a  righteous  cause. 

Adjutant  J.  I*.  Harris,  Lieutenant  Clark,  of  company  I,  Lieutenant 
Spears,  company  C,  here  fell  severely  wounded.  As  of  others,  so  I 
have  the  pleasure  of  bearing  testimony  of  these,  they  did  their  duty 
well  and  nobly. 

Having:  fallen  back  beyond  the  small  farm,  I  halted  the  regiment 
and  waited  in  the  hope  that  the  enemy  would  leave  his  covert  and  give 
U8  a  fair  fi^ht.  Rut  he  too  fully  appreciated  his  great  advantage  of 
position  to  give  it  up.  Remaining  in  this  position  a  short  time,  having 
no  ordor  from  you  or  our  division  commander,  I  received  an  order 
from  General  Bragg,  transmitted  through  one  of  his  staff,  to  advance 
again  and  attack  the  same  position  from  which  we  had  just  withdrawn. 
Of  course  the  order  was  obeyed  without  delay,  but  1  requested  the 
officer  to  say  to  the  General  that  I  thought  it  impossible  to  force  the 


262 

enemy  from  this  strong  position  by  a  charge  from  the  front,  but  that 
a  light  battery  playing  on  one  Hank  and  a  simultaneous  charge  of  in- 
fantry on  the  other,  the  position  could  be  carried  with  but  small  loss. 
Again  we  advanced  into  the  little  farm,  and  again  when  midway  the 
clearing,  the  enemy  opened  fire  upon  us.  Again  wo  pressed  onto  the 
outer  fence  directly  in  front  of  his  ambuscade.  Here  we  remained 
exposed  to  his  merciless  fire  for  over  half  an  hour,  without  the  power 
to  inflict  any  apparent  injury  upon  the  hidden  foe.  In  justice  to  my 
comTiand,  again  I  ordered  them  to  fall  back,  which  was  done  in  as 
good  order  as  before.  In  this  second  attack  we  had  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded  fifteen  men  of  desperate  courage  and  unflinching  bravery. 
Among  them,  Lieutenant  Leverett,  of  company  D,  mortally  wounded, 
Lieutenant  Maples,  company  B,  slightly  wounded.  It  would,  under 
th2  circumstances,  have  been  madness  to  have  kept  my  command  there 
longer.  I  may  be  permitted  to  add,  sir,  that  this  formidable  position 
of  the  enemy,  after  having  withstood  the  repeated  attacks  of  various 
regiments,  was  only  carried  at  last  by  a  charge  upon  the  right  flank, 
supported  by  a  battery  on  the  left. 

After  the  enemy  were  driven  from  this  stronghold,  we,  with  several 
brigades,  moved  towards  the  river.  It  Avas  then  nigh  sunset.  In  ac- 
cordance with  your  order,  we  commenced  falling  back  about  dusk,  and 
being  separated  from  the  brigade,  I  conducted  the  regiment  to  the 
camp  of  the  enemy,  where  I  had  established  a  temporary  hospital 
during  the  day.  I  was  in  the  saddle  till  a  late  hour  of  the  night,  en- 
deavoring to  find  your  headquarters.  But  being  unable  to  do  so,  I 
concluded  to  let  ray  men  sleep  in  tlie  tents  where  they  were,  having 
learned  that  we  were  a  short  distance  to  the  right  of  the  second  bri- 
gade, General  Anderson,  and  immediately  with  Captain  Girardey's 
battery,  which  had  been  on  my  right  most  of  the  day. 

Early  Monday  morning,  I  had  my  regiment  in  motion  to  join  you, 
and  was  moving  with  Captain  Girardey's  battery  towards  the  left, 
where  I  expected  to  join  the  brigade,  when  I  was  ordered  by  General 
Withers  to  send  my  regiment  under  my  Lieutenant  Colonel  to  support 
Brigadier  General  Chalmers  on  the  right.  At  the  same  time  General 
Withers  assigned  me  to  the  command  of  the  Crescent  regiment.  Col. 
Smith,  and  v.  battery,  .5th  company  Washington  Artillery,  as  a  brigade 
to  support  the  line  in  front,  which  was  at  that  time  engaging  the  ene- 
my a  little  beyond  the  outer  line  of  the  enemy's  camp,  and  a  short 
distance  to  the  right  of  where  General  Beauregard  had  his  head- 
•  quartors  Sunday  night.  Having  marched  forward  about  four  or  five 
hundred  yards,  our  line  halted,  to  await  the  issue  of  the  conflict  going 
•on  in  front  of  us.  A  short  time  elapsed,  when  the  line  in  front  of  us 
gave  way  and  we  engaged  the  enemy.  Just  at  this  time  I  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  thrown  from  my  horse,  and  being  badly  bruised  and 
stunned,  was  borne  from  the  field. 

In  conclusion,  sir,  I  desire  to  do  simple  justice  to  my  regiment,  by 
stating  the  fact  that  the  officers  and  men  did  their  whole  duty — nothing 
more,  nothing  less. 

Of  the  part  taken  by  my  regiment  in  the  engagement  on  Monday,  I 
•m  not  njw  able  to  furnish  a  report,  owing  to  the  sickness  of  my 


263 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  who  commanded,  not  being  able  to  render  me  a 
statement.  His  verbal  report  shows  my  regiment  actively  engaged  all 
day.  So  soon  as  he  renders  me  his  report,  I  will  immediately  transmit 
it  to  yon,  to  form  a  conclusion  to  this  report  and  to  show  how  my  regi- 
ment was  engaged  while  I  was  assigned  to  another  command. 
I  have  the  honor.  Colonel,  to  bo. 

With  distinguished  regard. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

B.  L.  ITODGK, 
Col.  \%th  Regiment  La.  Vols. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JAMES.  T.  FAGA^f. 


1IHAUQUARTKP..S      l.^T.     ARKANSAS    ReGIMENT^ 

Near  Corinth,  Miss., 
April  9tli,  186* 

Colonel  R.  L.   Gibson, 

Commanding  1  st  Brigade  Ruggles*  Divinon  : 

Colonel:  I  b2g  leave  to  submit  the  followinf»  report  of  the  part 
taken  and  the  loss  sustained  bv  my  regiment  in  the  battles  of  the  6th 
and  7th  inst.  tinder  the  circumstances,  it  must,  necessarily,  be  mea- 
gre and  imperfect.  Were  it  at  my  command  I  should  use  no^ 
gloss  and  finish  of  language  on  the  occasion.  A  simple  reference  to 
the  list  of  casualties,  ^vill  tell  in  terms  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood, 
the  story  of  our  loss  and  sufferings,  and  the  degree  of  daring  that  was 
exhibited  throughout  those  two  memorable  days.  It  is  impossible, 
also,  to  give  any  detailed  account  of  the  movements  and  manouvres  of 
the  regiment.  The  extent  and  nature  of  the  ground  over  which  it 
marched  precludes  this.  A  brief  report  of  the  most  important  en- 
gagements with  the  enemy,  is  all  that  I  can  render. 

Where  a  command  behaved  as  well,  generally,  as  did  the  1st  Ar- 
kansas regiment,  it  is  hard  to  discriminate  or  designate  any  individual 
instances  of  bravery.  Officers  and  men  did  their  duty  well  and  con- 
ducted themselves  as  men  should,  who  fijjht  for  all  that  is  near  and 
dear  to  them.  Against  odds,  and  at  great  disadvantage,  they  fought 
time  and  again,  bravely,  desperately,  defiantly — and  whore  they  could 
not,  by  heroic  daring  force  their  way,  they  crimsoned  the  ground  with 
their  life-blood. 

On  the  Gth  inst.,  my  regiment  was  the  right  center  regiment  of  the 
1st  brigade,  and  held  this  position  during  the  day.  The  first  casual- 
ties thitt  befell  it  were  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  whilst  the  regiment 
WHS  filing  througli  the  margin  of  an  old  field,  in  full  view,  and  at  a 
short  distance  from  the  camps  of  the  enemy,  and  a  strong  battery 
posted  near  them.  Here  Capt.  Wm.  A.  Crawford,  of  company  E,  was 
seriously  wounded,  by  a  bomb  bursting  right  under  him,  and  at  the 
name  time,  several  of  .my  men  of  company's  A,  E,  F,  near  and  around 
him.     I  felt  the  loss  of  Capt.  Crawford   very  much,  thus  early  in  the 


265 

dav,  for  I  knew  well  his  coolness  and  decision,  and  what  his  presence 
was  worth  to  his  command.  It  was  an  hour  and  more  after 
this,  before  we  had  the  first  real  engaf^ement  with  the  enemy.  It  oc- 
curred in  an  old  field,  to  the  right  of  the  first,  where  the  regiment 
engaged  a  force  of  the  enemy's  infantry  supported  by  a  battery  of  artil- 
lery. It  lasted  only  a  few  minutes  ;  the  enemy  retired.  Our  loss  at 
this  point  was  several  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  manner  in  which 
my  men  susta'ned  themselves  in  this,  the  first  engagement,  was  grat- 
ifying, and  fully  justified  my  expectations,  and  fortified  the  belief  of 
what  they  wouM  do  when  the  time  should  come  which  "  tried  men's 
souls." 

It  was  not  long  before  that  time  arrived  ;  it  was  about  noon,  the 
turning  point  of  the  day  and  the  turning  point  of  the  battle.  Upon 
the  edge  of  a  wheat  field,  to  the  right  of  the  field  last  mentioned,  the 
regiment,  with  the  whole  brigade,  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  and, 
marching  directly  to  the  front  across  the  field,  entered  a  dense  thicket 
of  undergrowth,  which  led  down  to  a  ravine  and  to  a  hill  beyond. 
Here  we  engaged  the  enemy,  three  different  times,  and  braved  a  per- 
fect rain  of  bullets,  shot  and  shell.  Exposed,  facing  great  odds,  with 
the  enemy  in  front  and  on  the  flank,  the  regiment  endured  a  murder- 
ous fire  until  endurance  ceased  to  be  a  virtue.  Three  different  times 
did  we  go  into  that  •'  valley  of  death,"  and  as  often  Avere  forced  back 
l)y  overwhelming  numbers,  entrenclied  in  a  strong  position.  That  all 
was  done,  that  could  possibly  be  done,  the  heaps  of  killed  and  wound- 
ed left  there,  give  ample  evidence.  On  the  right  of  the  regiment, 
dauntlessly  leading  the  advance,  fell  Lt.  Col.  Jno.  B.  Thompson,  mor- 
tally wounded,  pierced  with  seven  balls.  His  loss  no  one  can  feel  so 
sensibly  as  myself.  Like  llavelock,  he  united  the  graces  of  religion, 
to  the  valor  of  the  soldier.  Here  fell  Capt.  J.  T.  Gibson,  of  company 
H,  and  Capt.  Jesse  T.  McMahan,  of  company  C,  mortally  wounded, 
whilst  cheering  their  men  and  leading  them  on  to  the  charge.  Ma- 
jor J.  W.  Colquitt  was  here  severely  wounded,  and  Capt.  Jas.  Newton, 
of  company  A,  dangerously.  Lieut.  L.  C.  Bartlett,  of  company  C, 
was  killed,  and  several  other  commissioned  officers  wounded — all  gal- 
lantly leading  that  forlorn  hope.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when 
the  enemy  were  repulsed,  and  were  followed  up  in  the  direction  of  the 
river.  That  night  we  slept  in  the  enemy's  tents,  worn  with  fatigue, 
decimated  in  numbers,  but  elated  that  such  a  hard  fought  day  had  such 
a  glorious  close. 

About  7  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  Monday,  the  7th  inst.,  the  regiment 
marched  from  the  tents  it  had  occupied  during  the  night,  being  on 
this  day  on  the  right  of  the  Lst  brigade.  ^Marching  towards  the  left, 
orders  were  received  to  charge  a  battery  of  artillery  some  distance  off 
and  to  the  left.  The  order  was  executed,  and  one  field  piece  taken, 
but  abandoned  a^ain  under  a  brisk  fire  from  the  cnemv,  who  were  con- 
ccalcd  in  numbers  in  the  woods  beyond.  Lender  this  fire,  several  of 
my  men  were  wounded  ;  none  seriously.  Retiring  into  a  ravine, 
the  regiment  was  withdrawn  from  its  exposed  position  and  left  that 
portion  of  the  fiehl.  An  hour  or  so  later  it  was  marched  towards  the 
right,  where  every  inch  of  ground  was  being  hotly  contested,  and  here 


266 

the  refjiracnt  engaged  the  enemy  for  some  time  in  the  most  desperate 
and  determined  style,  moving  steadily  on  against  the  ranks  in  front 
of  them,  and  when  broken  and  temporarily  thrown  intodisorder  by  the 
tremen«lous  numbers  before  them,  they  only  retired  to  rally  again  and 
come  on  with  renewed  eagerness  to  the  charge.  They  rallied  around 
their  colors  and  pressed  on,  time  and  again,  until  they  were  forced  to 
retire  by  the  overwhelming  pressure  against  them.  Here  Ave  suffered 
severely,  losing  several  commissioned  officers  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  leaving  many  brave  men  who  had  ever  been  foremost  in  the  fray 
dead  or  dying. . 

After  this,  little  occurred  that  is  worthy  of  mention.  The  regi- 
ment soon  after  left  the  field  under  orders,  and  encamped  that  night  al 
Monterey,  in  the  quarters  occupied  by  it  previously  to  going  out  to 
fight.     Night  closed  upon  us  tired  and  foot  sore,  but  not  dispirited. 

I  have  thus  given.  Colonel,  a  summary  account  of  the  part  that  my 
regiment  took  in  the  fight  on  each  day.  It  only  remains  for  me  to 
add  the  list  of  casualties.  As  before  said,  these  speak  with  an  elo- 
quence more  powerful  than  words. 

Captain  A.  J,   Morgan,  of  Arkansas,  kindly  volunteered  as  my   aid, 
and  rendered  valuable  services  during  the  engagement. 
I  remain,  Colonel, 

With  much  respect,  vcrv  truly, 

JA'S  F.  FAGAN, 
Colonel  coiiwianding  \st  Arkansas  Regiment. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  E.  M.  DUBROCA. 


Colonel  R.  L,  Gibson, 

Sir  :  I  respectfully  submit  to  you  the  report  of  the  part  taken  by 
the  13th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  in  the  battles  of  the  6th  and 
7th  instant.  Being  totally  unacquainted  with  the  ground,  and  at  that 
time  not  dreaming  that  the  command  of  the  regiment  would  devolve 
upon  me,  I  had  not  taken  minute  notice  of  the  different  movements  of 
the  regiment,  and  am  afraid  my  report  will  be  a  very  impertect  one.  I 
shall  refrain  from  naming  any  of  my  fellow  officers  for  their  gallant 
deeds  on  the  battle  field,  as  my  attention  was  principally  occupied  in 
attending  to  my  own  company,  until  late  in  the  engagement  of  the 
7th.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  the  regiment  commanded  by  Major 
Avegno,  was  led  into  action  about  7  o'clock,  A.  M.  We  first  encoun- 
tered the  enemy  in  one  of  their  camps,  which  I  suppose  was  the  first 
of  their  camps,  still  occupied  by  the  enemy.  There  we  were  formed 
in  line  of  battle.  On  our  right  was  the  1st  Arkansas,  and  on  our  left 
the  4th  Louisiana.  We  marched  through  an  open  field  under  a  deadly 
fire  of  shell,  grape  and  musketry,  and  formed  in  line  on  the  edge  of 
the  enemy's  camp.  Our  loss  in  crossing  the  field  was  very  heavy. 
Captain  Cassard,  of  company  11,  was  wounded  in  the  leg  and  retired 
from  the  field.  Captain  O'Leary,  of  company  A,  received  a  slight 
wound  in  the  shoulder,  but  still  retained  his  command.  We  were  ordered 
to  the  right  to  charge  the  enemy,  who  were  laying  in  ambush  at  the 
foot  of  a  hill,  entirely  hidden  from  us  by  a  dense  undergrowth  which 
screened  their  position.  We  were  first  apprized  of  their  proximity 
by  a  shower  of  musketry  sweeping  through  our  ranks.  Bravely  did 
our  gallant  little  band  stand  its  ground  and  return  the  enemy's  fire. 
But  "  there  is  a  time  when  endurance  ceases  to  be  a  virtue."  Over- 
whelmed by  numbers,  we  were  forced  to  fall  back,  and  reform  anew, 
and  a  second  and  a  third  time  we  returned  to  the  charge,  leaving  on 
the  field  some  of  our  brave  soldiers.  Captain  Campbell,  of  company 
B,  being  Avounded  in  the  arm,  his  company  was  left  in  charge  of  his 
Orderly  Sergeant,  two  of  his  Lieutenants  being  sick,  and  one  on 
detached  service.  Major  Avegno  being  afflicted  with  a  severe  cold 
and  unable  to  speak,  transferred  the  command  to  Captain  0  Leary,  of 
company  A.  Nothing  of  importance  transpired  that  night.  We 
occupied  the  enemy's  tents. 

(^n  Monday  the  7th,  at  7  o'clock,  A.  ^^.,  the  order  was  given  to 
"fall  in  to  face  the  enemy  again."  Although  worn  out  by  fatigue, 
»ni  after  an  almost  sleepless  night,  cheerfully  and  gladly  did  the  13th 


268 

obey  the  order.  We  were  ordered  to  charge  a  battery  in  position  on 
a  hill  ai  sorae  distance.  It  was  not  lonj;  before  I  could  see  our  brave 
boys  cheering  and  following  the  flying  Yankees,  who  left  two  pieces  of 
artillery  behind  them,  although  it  was  not  our  good  fortune  to  hold 
them  long.  The  order  to  fall  back  to  a  neighboring  ravine  was  given, 
then  again  we  had  a  glimpse  of  the  Yankees,  and  fired  a  few  volleys 
at  them.  Lieutenant  Daly  was  wounded  in  the  head  by  a  piece  of 
shell  and  was  taken  to  a  hospital  close  by,  occupied  by  some  of  the 
enemy's  wounded.  We  were  then  ordered  to  the  position  we  occupied 
in  the  morniug,  and  after  forming  in  line  of  battle,  we  charged  on  the 
enemy  in  an  open  field.  Our  loss  in  wounded  was  very  heavy. 
Captain  O'Leary,  of  company  A,  received  a  second  wound  in  the  thigh, 
and  then  gave  up  the  command  of  the  regiment  to  me.  With  some  few 
of  our  men  and  about  two  hundred  men  from  different  regiments,  we 
made  a  last  and  desperate  charge,  in  which  Major  Avegno  was  wounded 
iu  the  leg.  The  order  to  retreat  was  then  given. 
All  of  which  I  respectfully  submit, 

E.  M.  DUBROCA, 
Captain  ISth  Reg't  Louisiana  Vols. 


REPORT  OF  THE  4th  LOUISIANA  REGIMENT,  IN  THE 
BATTLE  OF  SIIILOII,  ON  THE  6th  AND  7th  INSTANT, 
H.  W.  ALLEN,  COLONEL  COMMANDING. 


Camp  near  Corinth,  Miss., 

April  10,  1862. 

Colonel:  On  the  morning  of  the  Cth,  the  4th  Louisiana -went 
into  the  enjrafienicnt  -with  about  515  men,  rank  and  file.  All  the 
commissioned  officers  were  present  and  participated  in  the  cngngemont 
except  Lieuts.  Turnbull,  Blum  and  Lcmmcn,  absent  on  sick  fui  lough. 
While  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  and  awaiting  orders,  a  Tennessee 
regiment  immediately  in  our  rear,  fired  into  us  by  mistake,  killing  and 
wounding  a  large  number  of  my  men.  This  was  a  terrible  blow  to 
the  rcgiaient,  far  more  terrible  than  any  inflicted  by  the  enemy.  It 
almost  demoralized  the  regiment,  who,  from  that  moment  seemed 
to  dread  their  friends  much  mere  than  their  enemies.  At  the  com- 
mand to  advance  we  charged  up  the  hill  into  an  almost  impenetrable 
thicket. 

The  enemy  opened  a  dca<lly  fire,  which  was  quickly  returned. 
During  the  engagement.  Col.  Fagan,  of  the  1st  Arkansas,  sent  word 
to  Capt.  Favrot,  of  the  Delta  Rifles  "for  God's  sake  to  cease  firing, 
that  we  Avere  killing  his  men,  and  he  was  killing  ours."  Capt.  Favrot 
being  on  the  extreme  right,  gave  the  order  to  cease  firing.  Wiiilo  in 
this  position,  a  murderous  fire  was  poured  into  us  from  the  masked 
batteries,  of  grape  and  canister,  and  also  from  rifle  pits. 

The  regiment  retired — formed  agnin,  and  again  cliargcd.  Here  fell 
many  of  my  bravest  and  best  men  in  the  thick  brush  wood,  without 
ever  seeing  the  enemy.  The  young,  but  gallant  Capt.  J.  T.  Ililiiard, 
commanding  company  I,  Hunter  Rifles,  was  killed  here.  Here  fell 
Capts.  Taylor  and  Tennington,  and  Lieuts.  Holmes  and  Aillet  and 
Landry  ;  Capt.  Taylor  being  most  fearfully  wounded.  In  this  posi- 
tion we  remained,  firing  volley  after  volley,  until  the  enemy  had  ceased 
his  firing. 

By  or<ler  of  Gen.  Bragg,  I  took  position  on  the  bill,  and  at  a  later 
hour,  marched  the  regiment  to  the  list  scene  of  action,  and  remained 
till  ordered  to  retire  to  camp. 

MONDAY    THE    TtM. 

Having  suflfered  from  loss   of  blood   and    intense  pain,  I  placed  the 


270 

regiment  under  the  command  of  Lt.  Col.  S  E.  Hunter  and  rode  over 
to  the  hospital,  to  get  relief.  After  having  ray  wound  dressed,  I  was 
about  lying  down,  in  order  to  take  a  little  rest,  when  a  general  stam- 
pede began  of  wagons,  ambulances  and  men.  I  mounted  my  horse 
immediately  and  rode  after  the.  disgraceful  refugees.  I  succeeded  in 
putting  a  stop  to  the  stampede  and  placed  cavalry  in  the  rear,  with 
orders  to  cut  down  all  who  attempted  to  pass.  Here  I  met  an  aid  of 
Gen.  Bragg,  who  ordered  me  to  rally  all  the  stragglers,  and  form  tbem 
in  line.  This  I  did.  After  forming  a  battalion,  Lt.  Col,  Barrow,  com- 
manding the  1  Ith  Louisiana,  came  to  me  with  the  remnant  of  hia  re- 
giment, and  placed  himself  and  regiment  under  my  command.  This 
force,  tojiether  with  the  remnants  of  two  Alabama,  and  one  Tennessee 
regiment,  made  a  large  body  of  men,  who  stood  firm  in  front  of  the 
hospitals,  ready  to  receive  the  advancing  columns  of  the  enemy. 

AVhile  rallying  the  stragglers,  I  came  across  two  batteries  that  had 
lost  all  their  commissioned  officers.  These  I  took  possession  of,  sent 
for  ammunition,  supplied  them  with  men  fiom  my  command,  and  sent 
one  of  them  to  Gen.  Beauregard.  This  battery  fired  the  last  shots 
against  the  enemy.  The  other  battery,  and  the  forces  under  my  com- 
mand, held  their  position  in  the  very  face  of  the  enemy,  until  ordered 
to  be  retired,  by  command  of  Gen,  Bragg. 

The  regiment  went  into  action  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  under 
command  of  Lt.  Col,  Hunter,  The  officers  and  men  fought  the  whole 
day  under  his  command,  and  behaved,  as  I  am  informed,  with  much 
gallantry,  under  the  most  trying  circumstances. 

On  this  day  fell  Capt.  C,  E,  Tooraen,  of  the  West  Feliciana  Rifles, 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  company.  He  was  the  bravest  of  the 
brave,  and  in  iiis  death  our  country  has  sustained  a  serious  loss.  I 
cannot  particularize  the  daring  acts  of  officers  and  men.  The  wholo 
regiment  acted  throughout  the  whole  engagements  of  the  Gth  and  7th, 
(with  a  few  exceptions),  Avith  great  g:Ulantry. 

I  cannot  close  tliis  report  without  honorable  mention  of  my  regi- 
mental color-bearer,  Benjamin  W.  Chirke,  and  the  color-guard,  D. 
B.  Gorham,  T.  H.  Corcoran  and  11.  Turner.  For  two  long  days,  amid 
shot  and  shell,  and  a  hail-storm  of  balls,  they  held  the  tlag  finu  and 
erect,  and  brought  it  back  torn  into  tatters. by  the  bullets  of  the  ene- 
my.    The  loss  of  the  regiment  is  as  follows,  viz : 

ICilled — Two- (2)  officers — Capts.  Tooraen  and  Hilliard.  Twenty- 
two  (22)  men. 

VVoundud — Twelve  (12)  officers — Capta.  Pennington  and  Taylor. 
Lts,  Holmes,  Adams,  Aillet,  Landry  and  Smith,  Capt.  \  ingfield, 
Lts.  Latil,  Carter,  Amacker,  Barton,  Skolfield.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  one  (lol)  men. 

Missing — (3nc  officer — Lieut.  Jenkins.      Twenty-one  (21)  men. 

Total  loss — Two  hundred  and  nine  (209). 

H.  W.  ALLEN, 
Cdund  commanding  Ath  Louisiana  lieghmnt. 


KEPORT  OF  GENERAL  PATTON  ANDERSON 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade  Ruggles'  Division,  ^ 

2d  Ar>:y  Corps,  Army  of  the  Mississippi,       > 

Corinth,  Miss.,  April  17,  1^62.  ) 

To  Captain  R.  M.  Hooe, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Division  Jhadquarters  '. 

Captain  :— I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the 
part  taken  by  my  brigade  in  the  actions  of  the  6th  and  >th  of  April, 
at  Shjloh,  near  the  Tennessee  river. 

On  the  night  of  the  4th,  in  his  tent  near  Mcckey's  house.  General 
Bragg  developed  to  the  division  and  brigade  commanders  the  plan  of 
the  proposed  attack  upon  the  enemy's  forces,  encamped  at  and  around 
Shiloh  church.  By  this  plan,  Ruggles' division  was  to  form  on  tho 
left  of  the  second  line  of  battle,  its  left  resting  upon  Owl  creek  and 
its  right  on  or  near  the  Bark  road.  My  brigade  (the  2d)  was  to.com- 
pose  the  reserve  of  this  division  and  occupy  a  position  several  hundred 
yards  in  rear  of  its  center,  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  right  or 
left  as  occasion  might  require.  A  sufficient  interval  was  to  be  left 
between  the  1st  and  3d  brigades  to  admit  of  my  deploying  forward  into 
line,  should  such  a  movement  be  found  necessary. 

The  furious  storm  which  ragjd  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  night 
of  the  4th  prevented  the  movement  of  the  army  from  its  bivouac  at 
Meckey's  until  some  time  beyond  the  hour  designated  by  General 
Bragg,  although  my  brigade  Avas  ready  to  march  at  3  o'clock,  A.  M., 
of  the  5th,  and  was  so  reported  at  the  division  hcatlquartcrs.  At 
about  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  of  the  5th,  my  command  took  its  position  in 
the  column  on  the  Bark  road,  marching  left  in  front,  in  the  direction 
of  shiloh.  The  roads  were  much  blocked  up  by  the  trains  of  wagons 
and  artillery  attached  to  the  corps  in  front.  In  order  to  reach  my 
position  in  the  designated  line  of  battle  at  the  hour  indicated  in  tlie 
plan,  I  left  the  main  road,  taking  a  course  through  the  woods  parallel 
to  the  road,  passing  other  trims  and  brigades,  till  the  way  was  found 
open,  only  a  short  distance  from  the  point  at  which  I  was  to  file  off  to 
the  left  and  form  line  at  right  angles,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  Bark 
road,  on  which  the  column  was  moving.  This  point  was  reached  by 
the  bead  of  my  column  at  about  4  P.  M.,  on  the  5th   instant,  Colonel 


272 

Pond,  commanding  the  3d  brigade,  llugglcs'  division,  having  preceded 
me  in  the  direction  of  Owl  creek.  After  leaving  the  Bark  road  and 
following  Colonel  Pond's  command  about  half  a  mile,  I  found  his  rear 
halted  and  his  line  being  formed.  Meeting  General  Bragg  at  this 
point  he  gave  me  some  directions  as  to  the  formation,  rectifying  in  some 
measure  the  line  formed  by  Colonel  Pond.  Soon  after  this  I  met 
Brigadier  General  Ruggles,  commanding  the  division, who  substantially 
reiterated  General  Bragg's  instructions,  which  I  was  in  the  act  of 
carrying  out.  I  formed  the  bri^iado  two  hundred  and  seventy  yards 
in  rear  of  the  division,- in  column  at  half  distance,  doubled  on  the 
center,  my  right  and  left  respectively  half  masked  by  the  left  and 
right  of  the  1st  and  3d  brigades.  After  posting  an  adequate  guard, 
arms  were  stacked  and  the  troops  bivouacked  on  their  lines.  The  night 
was  clear,  the  air  cool  and  bracing,  quite  in  contrast  with  the  pre- 
vious one. 

At  4  A.  M.,  on  the  6th  inst.,  the  men  were  aroused  without  fife  or 
drum,  and  silently  but  promptly  resumed  their  arms,  ready  for  the 
order  to  move'  forward.  This  order  was  soon  received  and  obeyed 
with  alacrity.  At  this  time  the  second  line  of  battle  (of  which  my 
brigade  composed  a  reserve  on  the  left)  was  supposed  to  be  about  1, ()()() 
yards  in  rear  of  the  1st  or  General  Hardee's  line.  We  had  not  moved 
forward  ovey  half  this  distance,  however,  when  I  discovered  that  vre 
were  approaching  v;ithin  two  or  three  hundred  yards  of  it,  having 
taken  the  step  and  direction  from  the  1st  brigade  (Colonel  Gibson's) 
on  my  right.  1  also  discovered  at  this  time  that  the  right  of  Colonel 
Pond's  (the  3d  brigade)  had  not  yet  taken  up  the  line  of  march.  A 
few  moments  previous  I  had  received  an  order  from  General  Bragg, 
through  one  of  his  staff,  to  close  the  interval  in  front  of  me  by  forming 
on  Colonel  Gibson's  left.  This  had  been  executed  before  we  halted  a 
moment  to  allow  General  Hardee's  line  to  regain  its  proper  interval. 
Both  lines  were  soon  in  motion  again,  and  before  proc?eding  far  a  few 
scattering  mu-^ket  shots  werj  heard,  apparently  about  half  a  mile  to 
our  right,  and  after  a  short  interval  one  or  two  volleys  succeeded,  the 
sound  coming  in  the  same  direction.  Occasional  reports  were  now 
heard  along  our  right  and  center,  and  seemed  to  be  gradually  extend- 
ing towards  our  left.  At  this  time  my  brigade  was  marching  in  line 
of  battle,  in  the  following  order,  from  rigiit  to  left,  viz.:  The  17th 
regiment  of  Louisiana  volunteers,  aggregate  326,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  Jones;  the  Confederate  Guards  Response 
battalion,  aggregate  109,  comman<lcd  by  Major  F.  IL  Clack;  the 
Florida  battalion,  about  250  aggregate,  commanded  by  Major  S.  A. 
McDowell ;  the  9th  Texas  infantry,  22C  aggregate,  commanded  by 
Colonel  W.  A.  Stanley;  and  the  20th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers, 
507  aggregate,  commanded  by  Colonel  Auguste  Reichard.  The  5th 
company  Washington  Artillery,  155  men,  commanded  by  Captain 
W.  Irving  Hodgson,  following  the  center  as  nearly  as  the  nature  of 
the  ground  would  permit,  ready  to  occupy  an  interval  either  between 
the  Florida  battalion  and  the  9th  Texas,  or  between  the  9th  Texas 
and  20th  Louisiana,  as  necessity  or  convenience  might  require ; 
the  whole  composing  a  force  of  1,634  men.  The  engagement  had 
now  fairly  commenccl  on  the  right,  and  that  portion  of  Major  General 


273 

Iliirdcc's  line,  to  which  we  were  now  moving  up  by  order  of  General 
Brugg,  were  sharply  engaging  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  The  face  of 
the  country  at  this  point,  consisting  of  alternate  hills  and  boggy  ra- 
vines, overgrown  with  heavy  timber  and  thick  underbrush,  presented 
features  remarkably  favorable  for  the  operations  of  skillful  skirmi.^hers. 
Our  impetuous  volunteers  charged  them,  however,  Avhercver  they  ap- 
peared, and  drove  them  from  their  cover  back  to  their  lines  near  the 
first  camp  met  with  on  the  Bark  road,  leading  towards  Pittsburg. 
Here  the  enemy,  having  greatly  the  advantage  of  position  for  both 
his  infantry  and  artillery,  made  a  more  creditable  stand,  A  battery 
of  his  field  pieces  was  in  position  on  the  height  of  a  domineering  hill, 
from  four  to  six  hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  lines,  commanding  his 
camp  and  the  approaches  to  it.  Immediately  in  our  front,  and  between 
us  and  this  battery,  ran  a  boggy  ravine,  the  narrow  swamp  of  which 
was  thickly  overgrown  with  various  species  of  shrubs,  saplings  and 
vines,  so  densely  interwoven  as  to  sometimes  require  the  use  of  a 
knife  to  enable  the  footman  to  pass.  Over  this  the  enemy's  battery 
had  a  full  field  of  fire  upon  our  whole  lines.  As  wc  descended  the  de- 
clivity terminating  in  the  swamp,  and  on  the  opposite  skirts  of  the 
swamp,  his  infantry  had  all  the  advantages  presented  by  such  shelter 
on  one  side  and  obstacles  on  the  other.  This  ravine  and  its  accompa- 
n3'ing  obstacles  could  be  avoided  on  the  right,  but  my  position  in  tho 
line  required  a  dislodgment  of  the  enemy  from  his  cover,  before  taking 
a  movement  in  that  direction,  lest  he  should  fall  upon  my  flank  and 
rear,  before  I  could  make  the  circuit  of  the  swamp  and  hill,  to  reach 
him  where  he  was. 

The  most  favorable  position  attainable  by  our  field  pieces  wrs 
selected,  and  Captain  Hodgson  was  directed  to  open  fire  upon  the 
enemy's  battery,  (now  playing  vigorously  upon  us.)  with  solid  shot 
and  shrapnel,  and  when  occasion  offered,  without  danger  to  our  own 
troops,  to  use  canister  upon  his  infantry.  This  order  was  obeyed 
with  alacrity.  Taking  ailvant:i<^;  of  this  diversion  in  our  favor,  tho 
infantry  was  directed  to  pass  through  the  swamp,  and  drive  the  enemy 
before  it,  until  Captain  Hodgson  could  either  silence  his  battery,  or 
an  opportunity  presented  of  taking  it  with  the  bayonet.  The  move- 
ment vras  made  with  spirit  and  vigor.  As  my  left  reached  the  thicket 
at  tlie  ravine,  a  regiment  on  our  left  and  front,  which  had  been  unable 
to  cross  the  branch,  came  back  in  some  confusion,  breaking  the  lines 
of  the  2t'th  Louisiana,  and  causing  similar  confusion  in  its  ranks.. 
13f>tii  were  soon,  however,  reformed,  and  the  2(lth  Louisiana  (Colonel 
Roichaid)  regained  its  proper  po.-ition  in  line,  and  forced  its  way  across 
the  swamp  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  encni}'.  At  this  time  the 
mo<t  (tf  my  right,  the  17th  Louisiana,  the  Confederate  Guards,  and  the 
Florida  battalion,  had  crossed  the  branch  and  made  a  charge  up  a  hill 
into  the  edge  of  the  enemy's  camp,  but  his  battery"  was  playing  upon; 
them  with  such  vigor  that  they  fell  back,  in  order,  a  .^hort  distance,  to  a 
point  where  they  were  sheltered  by  the  brow  of  tlic  hill.  TLe  per-- 
ceptilily  dimini.'^hing  fire  from  the  enemy's  battery  was  f^oon,  by  Capt. 
Hodgson's  superior  practice,  entirely  silenced.  Our  infantry,  whi.h 
in  the  mcautimc,  had  crossed  the  boggy  ravino,  pressed  up  th?  hill  on 
IS 


274 

th?  other  pidc,  drivin;;  the  enemy  from  his  camp,  and  reaohing  the 
battery  in  time  to  pour  ficveral  rounds  into  the  ranks  of  the  fleeing 
cannoniers  and  their  supports,  both  right  and  left.  The  action  novr 
beciime  general,  as  was  evidenced  by  ♦he  unremitting  roll  of  small 
arms  and  artillejy  along  th^  whole  line. 

In  the  attack  upon  the  cuinp  fust  alluded  to,  an<l  the  taking  of  the 
battery,  my  command  had  assumed  a  position  in  the  front  line,  avail- 
ing itself,  for  this  purpose,  of  an  interval  nearly  in  front  of  us,  in 
our  first  line  of  battle.  After  passing  their  first  battery,  and  being 
driven  through  their  second  and  tliinl  camps  into  the  fourth,  the 
enemy  made  a  more  o1)stinate  resistance,  being  favored  in  this  by  the 
nature  of  the  ground.  Once,  and  again,  our  volunteers  nobly  rc- 
eprmdcd  to  the  order  to  dislo<lge  him.  The  odds  in  numbers  were  in 
his  favor,  ns  well  as  the  advantage  in  position,  but  as  comrade  after 
•comrade  fell  by  his  side,  each  Confederate  seemed  to  be  in.-<pired  with 
•fresh  courage  an<I  determination  to  win  the  fight,  or  lose  his  life.  At 
•one  time  the  lines  upon  my  right  wavered,  and  se(?mcd  to  give  way 
for  a  moment,  but  a  wave  of  the  hat  to  my  own  brigade,  (the  voice 
could  not  be  heard)  seemed  well  understood,  and  the  command  •' for- 
ward," which  it  implied,  was  most  L'allantly  executed.  Again  the 
lines  of  the  enemy  gave  way,  but  a  battery  to  our  left  and  front  now 
disclosed  itself  in  heavy  fire  upon  our  center  and  right.  About  this 
time  each  command  in  the  brigade  lost  several  gallant  oflicers,  and 
many  not  less  gallant  men.  I  (lespatched  an  aid.  Lieutenant  David- 
son, to  the  rear  to  order  up  a  battery,  and  withdrew  the  infantry  a 
short  vJistance  to  better  shelter.  The  artillery  gained  a  fivorablc 
posi  ion  in  a  few  minutes,  perhaps  before  Lieutenant  Davidson  ii-id 
ha<l  time  to  deliver  my  order,  and  promptly  opened  fire  upon  its  an- 
tagonist. The  infantry  was  brought  up  again  on  the  right  of  the  bat- 
tery, at  supporting  distance,  held  its  fire  till  a  favorable  moment 
arrived,  when  a  few  well  <lirccted  volleys,  followed  by  a  shout  and  a 
charge  to  the  front,  eaused  tlie  enemy  again  to  give  way  in  some 
confusion,  leaving  his  battery  behind. 

It  is  entirely  out  of  my  power  to  give  a  circumstantial  account  of 
all  tlie  operations  of  the  command  during  the  remainder  of  this  day's 
work,  C)ur  movements  were  all  onward.  Meeting  one  of  General 
Brngg's  aids  about  this  time,  I  remarked  to  him,  that  "  from  tlio  posi- 
tion originally  assigned  mc,  that  of  a  reserve,  I  had  worked  my  way 
into  the  front  line."  In  a  few  moments  he  passed  again  an<l  said, 
*'  no  difference,  the  General  desires  you  to  go  wherever  the  figl»t  is 
thickest."  The  enemy's  fire  in  front  and  to  our  left  was  now  evidently 
"fliminishing.  Not  so,  however,  on  our  right.  I,  therefore,  determined 
to  swing  around  on  my  right,  and  endeavor  to  press  the  enemy's  right 
•center  b.u-k  upon  his  right,  where  General  llanleo's  invineiblo  cobimns 
were  driving  him  towards  the  river.  One  of  his  batteries  lay  imine- 
<iiately  in  our  front,  concealed  by  undergrowth  and  a  sharp  ravine. 
In  appro.-iching  it,  I  met  Colonel  Smith,  of  1\\q  Crescent  regiment, 
s'ho  had  become  detached  from  his  brigade,  and  now  proposed  to  unite 
with  mine,  to  which  I  gladly  consented,  and  directed  him  to  form  on 
my  left.      After  consulting  together  for  a  few  moments,  and  making 


275 

some  inquiry  of  General  Gardner,  ■wLo  was  passing  at  the  moment, 
and  who  had  reconnoiterod  the  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  the  battery 
wliich  lay  in  our  front,  and  which,  by  this  time,  was  getting  our  range 
pretty  well.  I  dcteiinincd  to  move  around  my  riglit  a  short  distance, 
lelting  Colonel  Smith  go  to  the  left,  and,  from  the  position  thus 
gained,  to  make  a  simultaneous  movement  upon  the  infantry  support- 
ing the  battery,  while  a  section  of  our  own  field  pieces  engaged  tlicra 
in  front. 

In  moving  forward  through  the  thick  underbrush  Wfore  alluded  to, 
I  met  a  portion  of  a  Louisiana  regiment  (13th  I  think)  returning,  and 
their  officers  informed  me  that  I  could  not  got  through  the  brush.  1 
pushed  forward,  however,  and  had  crossed  the  ravine,  and  commenced 
the  ascent  of  the  opposite  slope,  when  a  galling  fire  from  infantry,  and 
canister  from  howitzers,  swept  through  my  ranks  with  deadly  cffoct. 
Tlie  thitket  was  so  dense,  that  it  wms  impossible  for  a  company  officer 
to  be  seen  at  platoon  distance.  The  enemy's  canister  Avas  particularly 
well  directed,  and  tlie  range,  being  that  of  musketry,  was  well  calcu- 
lated to  test  the  pluck  of  the  sternest.  So  far  as  I  was  able  to  observe, 
however,  there  was- no  consternation  or  dismay  in  our  ranks.  The 
2nth  Louisiana  suffered  most,  its  galhmt  Colonel  having  his  horse  shot, 
and  m my  of  its  rank  and  file  mec^ting  soldiers'  death.  They  fell  back, 
fighting  as  they  retired,  to  a  point  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  yards  in  the 
rear,  where  the  brew  of  a  hill  aff'orde<l  shelter  from  the  canister.  A 
hurried  reconnoissance  revealed  a  point  from  which  the  enemy  could 
be  more  advantngeously  assailed.  Lieut<;nant  Davidson,  of  my  stafi", 
wns  dispatched  to  General  Ruggles,  not  far  off,  with  a  request  that  he 
would  send  up  a  few  pieces  of  ai  tillery  to  a  position  imlicated,  whenc*? 
a  vigorous  fire,  I  felt  confident,  would  soon  silence  the  battery,  which 
was  the  main  obstacle  to  our  onward  movement.  Changing  my  posi- 
tion somewhat,  to  suit  the  circumstances,  (several  officers  of  the  2nth 
Louisiana  having  reported  to  me,  their  men  were  unable  to  make 
another  charge,  by  reason  of  the  complete  state  of  e.xhau.'^tion  ihoy 
were  in)  I  determined  to  make  another  effort  to  dislodge  the  enemy 
from  his  position,  with  what  of  my  command  was  left,  (ieneral  Rug- 
gles bad  now  placed  our  battery  in  position.  Colonel  Smith,  of  the 
l.TCSccnt  regiment,  had  driven  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  from  the 
cover  of  a  lo^  cabin,  and  a  few  cotton  bales  on  the  extreme  left,  and 
near  the  road,  and  the  enemy  was  being  sortd}'  pressed  upon  the  ex- 
treme right  by  our  columns  upon  that  flank,  and  I  ftlt  the  importance 
of  pressing  forward  at  thi«  point.  The  troops,  too,  seemed  to  be  in- 
spired with  the  same  feeling.  ()ur  battery  opened  rapidly,  hut  every 
shot  told.  To  the  commaml  **  forward,"'  the  infantry  iespon<leil  with 
a  shout,  nnd  in  less  than  five  minutes  after  our  artillery  commencod 
playing,  an<l  before  the  infantry  liad  advanced  within  shot  range  of 
the  enemy's  line?,  we  had  the  satisfaction  of  Rccing  his  proud  banner 
lowered,  and  a  white  one  hoi?tcd  in  its  «teau!.  Our  troops  on  the  right 
ha<l  been  engaging  a  portion  of  his  lines,  unseen  by  u*  on  account  of 
an  intervening  hill,  and  when  the  white  flag  wa-'  run  up,  t'jcy  reached 
it  first.  The  sun  was  now  near  the  wcBtern  horizon,  the  b.iltlc  around 
U8  had  ceased  to  rape.     I   met  General   Ruggles,  who  directed  me  to 


^76 

take  a  road,  which  was  not  far  to  my  left,  and  to  move  down,  in  the 
direction  of  the  river.  I  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  overtaking  me, 
he  ordered  a  halt,  till  som }  artillery  could  be  taken  to  the  front,  when 
he  would  give  me  further  directions.  Soon  after  halting,  several 
hrigadcs,  composing  portions  of  Generals  Polk  and  Ilardec's  coni- 
ra:wids,  filed  across  the  load  in  front  of  me.  and  moved  off  to  the  left, 
at  a  right  angle  to  the  road,  and  commenced  forming  line  of  battle  in 
an  open  fiehf  and  woods  beyond.  Several  batteries  passed  down  the 
road  in  the  direction  of  Pittsburg.  One  soon  returned,  and  filed  off 
into  the  field  where  the  infantry  was  forming.  The  enemy's  gun-boats 
row  op(>ned  fire.  General  Kuggles  directed  me  to  move  forward  a 
Miort  distance,  and  by  inclining  to  the  riglit.  to  gain  a  little  hollow, 
which  would  probably  afford  better  protection  for  my  men  against 
shell,  than  the  position  I  then  occupied.  I  gained  the  hollow,  anil 
called  a  halt,  ordering  the  men  to  take  cover  behind  the  hill,  and  near 
.1  little  ravine  which  traversed  the  hollow.  We  occupied  this  position 
some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  when  one  of  General  Ruggles'  ;stafr 
diiected  me  to  retire  to  the  enemy's  camp,  beyond  the  range  of  his 
floating  guns.  In  filing  off  from  this  position,  several  men  were  killed, 
and  mmy  wounded  by  the  ex})loding  shells  of  the  enemy.  It  was 
ii.>w  twilight.  As  soon  as  we  had  placed  a  hill  between  us  and  tho 
pun-l)oats,  the  troops  moved  slowly,  and  apparently  with  reluctance 
from  the  direction  of  the  river.  It  was  eight  o'clock  at  night  before 
we  had  reached  a  bivouac  near  General  Bragg's  headquarters,  and  in 
tho  darkness  of  the  night,  the  2l>ih  Louisiana,  and  portions  of  the  17th 
Louisiana  and  Confe<lerate  Guards,  got  separated  from  that  portion  of 
the  command  in  which  I  was,  and  encamped  on  other  ground.  IJy 
the  assistance  of  my  staff,  the  whereabouts  of  the  whole  command  was 
ascertained  before  we  slept.  I  reported  in  person  to  General  Ruggles, 
who  gave  some  directions  in  regard  to  collecting  the  stragglers, 
an  1  rc(jues'ed  that  I  should  report  to  him  again  if  anything  of  impor- 
taiict:  occurred  during  tlie  night.  I  retired  to  the  bivouac,  which  wa» 
in  an  (;pen  field  and  aj)ple  orchard,  near  the  Big  spring.  I  had  pur- 
posely avoided  the  enemy's  tents,  fearing  the  effect  their  ric  .  spoils 
might  produce  ujion  hungry  and  exhausted  troops.  Before  twelve 
o  clock,  one  of  those  terrific  rain  storms,  to  which  we  had  so  frequently 
been  exposed  of  late,  set  in  with  ])itiless  vehen)ence,  which  was  scarcely 
abated  till  dawn  of  day.  With  my  saihlle  for  a  seat  and  a  blanket 
thrown  over  my  iiead,  I  sat  all  night  at  the  root  of  an  apple  tree.  My 
Btaff  and  troops  chceifiiUy  partook  of  the  same  fare. 

Soon  after  dayliglit  on  Monday  morning,  the  7th,  I  received  orders 
from  both  Generals  Bragg  and  Ruggles,  through  their  staff  officers,  ta 
liold  myself  in  readiness  to  move  out  and  meet  the  enemy.  I  hastened 
to  make  preparations  accordingly.  Tiie  command  was  marched  off 
from  its  bivouac  by  the  right  fiank,  in  the  direction  of  Pittsburg,  and 
after  proceeding  about  a  half  of  a  mile,  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  on 
the  right  of  some  Tennessee  troops,  believed  to  belong  to  General 
Cheatham's  command.  Some  delay  was  had  at  this  point  by  the  con- 
stant delay  of  troops  in  fragments  of  brigades,  regiments  and  com- 
panies.    A  portion  of  the  2<Jih  Louisiana,  the   Confederate   Guard* 


277 

battalion,  an.l  9th  Texas  regiment  had  hecome  detached  from  my  imme- 
diate command,'  \ty  ]  crmitting  other  troops  to  cut  them  out  on  the 
march,  and  in  falling  into  lino.  A  line  of  battle  was,  however,  formed 
and  a  forward  movement  commenced.  By  this  time  our  skirmishers 
on  the  right  had  engaged  those  of  the  enemy,  but  no  general  action 
had  begun.  Our  advance  movement  had  not  continued  far,  however, 
till  tlie  enemy's  lines  were  disclosed  in  front.  Our  troops  went  into 
action  with  a  spirit  and  alacrity  scarcely  to  be  expected  after  the 
fatigues  and  hardships  of  the  previous  days  and  nights.  The  enem/ 
was  evidently  in  large  force,  and  his  troops  were  fresh.  The  first 
onset  was  maintained  with  spirit  by  both  armies,  and  for  nearly  an 
hour  the  conflict  raged  in  this  part  of  the  field  witli  doubtful  results- 
Several  times  we  pressed  forward  against  the  superior  numbers  of  the 
enemy's  fresh  columns,  but  he  stubbornly  maintained  his  po.sition. 
Our  officers  and  men  seemed  resolved  to  drive  him  back,  and  summoBing 
every  thing  for  another  struggle,  we  led  the  columns  up  witli  a  volley 
and  a  shout  from  the  whole  line,  which  proved  irresistible,  and  Bent 
him  flying  back  to  his  second  line,  which  was  strongly  posted  some 
two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear.  About  this  time,  Colonel  Campbell, 
commanding  a  Tennessee  regiment  (number  not  remembered,)  attached 
himself  to  my  brigade,  and  fought  gallantly  during  the  day.  I  received 
an  order  about  the  same  time  to  support  a  column  tlion  hotly  engaged 
some  half  mile  to  my  right,  but  before  reaching  the  position,  our 
column  had  fallen  back  to  better  ground,  and  I  was  directed  to  support 
a  battery  on  our  left' in  conjunction  with  Colonel  Trabue's  Kentucky 
command.  I  filed  off  to  the  left,  crossing  a  camp  and  the  avenue 
under  a  heavy  fire,  and  reached  a  ravine  on  Colonel  Trabue's  right, 
with  my  right  resting  upon  the  border  of  the  avenue.  The  enemy's 
battery  was  in  position  some  four  hundred  yards  to  our  front,  and  ours 
was  about  the  same  distance  to  my  left,  in  a  favorable  position  to 
silence  it.  Sharpshooters  had  been  thrown  forward,  and  taken  posi- 
tion V)ehind  a  line  of  logs  that  had  been  rolled  out  to  one  side  of  the 
avenue,  and  were  now  picking  off  my  "men  as  they  stood  waiting  for 
our  battery  to  accomplish  its  work.  I  ordered  forward  a  detachment 
of  skirmishers  to  dislodge  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  who  were  posted 
behind  the  breastwork  of  logs  before  alluded  to.  They  accomplished 
their  work  in  handsome  style,  and  held  the  position  from  which  they. 
annoyed  the  cannoniers,  who  were  playing  upon  our  battery  on  the, 
left.  (>l)Ferving  this  advantage,  I  rodo  over  to  the  battery  to  see  the 
commanding  oflScer  of  the  inf'antry,  pcstcd  on  my  left,  ami  between 
me  and  the  battery,  to  ascertain  if  he  could  spare  me  a  force  sufficient 
to  enable  me  to  charge  and  take  the  enemy's  pieces.  I  first  met  Major 
Monroe,  of  the  4th  Kentucky,  who  referred  me  to  rJcneral  Trabue.  to 
whom  I  was  soon  introduced.  Hurriedly  explaining  to  him  my  strength 
and  position,  and  urging  the  importance  of  takiuifir  the  battery  in 
question,  adding  my  conviction  that  it  coal!  be  done,  he  readily  con- 
sented to  furnish  me  two  regiments  for  that  purpose,  and  directed  an 
officer  near  by  to  accompany  me  to  where  the  regiments  were  posted. 
I  had  not  procec<led.  however,  be3'ond  his  pight.  when  he  c.illed  tome, 
and  approaching  said  ;   *'  Upon  reflection  I  think  I  had  better  not  Jet 


278 

those  regiments  leave  their  present  position,  since  I  am  dircctoil  to 
support  this  battery  if  attacked."  I  returned  to  my  command,  and 
found  that  tlie  enemy  had  discovered  my  position,  obtained  the  range, 
and  was  shelling  us  at  a  rapid  rate.  Not  having  the  force  to  take  his 
battery,  and  being  unable  to  obtain  assistance  in  that  part  of  the  field, 
I  withdrew  to  a  position  a  short  distance  in  the  rear,  and  behind  the 
brow  of  the  ne.xt  hill.  Here  I  found  General  Cheatham,  with  a  portion 
of  his  command,  who  had  fallen  hack  from  a  point  farther  to  the  left. 
I  formed  on  his  right,  and  the  enemy  now  appearing  on  the  left,  we 
encountered  him  again,  and  pushed  him  back  a  short  distance,  to  where 
more  favorable  ground  enabled  him  to  stand.  We  were  in  an  open 
plain  with  a  fev.'  scattering  trees,  but  not  enough  to  afford  material 
shelter.  The  opposing  forces  wero  strongly  posted  in  superior  num- 
bers in  a  dense  wood,  affording  excellent  cover.  Our  troops  stood  and 
saw  their  comrades  fall  about  them,  but  returned  the  fire  with  spirit 
for  a  length  of  time,  till  some  detached  commands  on  the  extreme  left 
gave  way,  Avhen  the  whole  line  retired  behind  the  brow  of  a  hill,  some 
hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear.  Here  they  rallied 
and  formed  again.  General  Cheatham  was  particularly  active  in 
effecting  the  reformation,  urging  his  troops  to  make  a'  stand,  and 
assuring  them  of  their  ability  to  repulse  the  enemy.  Lieutenant 
Sandidge,  also,  of  General  Rugglea'  staff,  did  gallant  service  in  the  same 
way.  I  take  pleasure  in  referring  to  a  circumstance  which  camo 
under  my  own  observation,  as  none  of  his  immediate  superiors  were 
present  to  record  it.  Wlien  one  of  General  Cheatham's  regiments  had 
been  appealed  to  in  vain  to  make  a  charge  on  the  advancing  foe,  Lieu- 
tenant Sandidge,  seizing  its  colors,  and  holding;  them  high  over  head, 
calling  upon  the  regiment  to  follow  him,  he  spurred  his  horse  to  the 
front,  and  charged  over  the  brow  of  the  hill  amidst  a  shower  of  leaden 
hail  from  the  enemy.  The  effect  was  electrical.  The  regiment  moved 
gallantly  to  the  support  of  its  colors,  but  superior  numbers  soon 
pressed  it  back  to  its  original  position.  Colonel  Stanley,  of  the  9th 
Texas,  did  the  same  thing  with  ^le  same  result.' 

Large  numbers  of  .stragglers  could  now  be  seen  in  all  directions, 
making  their  way  to  the  rear.  Officers  of  several  regiments  reported 
to  me  that  their  commands  were  out  of  ammunition,  and  that  the  am- 
munition wagonshad  all  retired  to  the  rear.  I  detailed  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  two  men  from  the  Florida  battalion  to  go  in  search  of 
ammunition.  He  soon  returned,  having  succeeded  in  finding  a  few  boxes 
in  a  camp  near  by — whether  left  thereby  our  wagons  or  by  the  enemy, 
E  am  unable  to  say.  While  the  ammunition  was  being  distributed, 
one  of  General. Beauregard's  staff  came  by,  and  directed  us  to  retire 
in  order,  in  the  direction  of  our  ho.^pital.  On 'reaching  the  brow  of 
the  next  hill,  in  an  open  space,  I  halted  the  brigade,  and  faced  about, 
hoping  with  the  assistance  of  two  pieces  of  artillery,  which  I  observed 
near  b)%  that  a  check  would  be  given  to  the  enemy's  advance,  if  in- 
deed he  could  not  be  driven  back.  He  had  halted,  evidently  in  doubt 
whether  to  advance  or  not.  I  rode  up  to  an  officer  who  appeared  to 
feave  charge  of  the  pieces  alluded  to,  and  requested  him  to  open  fire 
upon  a  line  which  I  pointed  out.     He  informed  me  that  he  was  out  of 


279 

ammunition,  had  no  horses  to  draw  off  his  pieces,  and  had  just  received 
orders  to  spike  them  and  leave  them  on  the  ground.  The  enemy's 
lines  Avere  still  at  a  halt.  I  moved  on  up  the  road  till  I  met  an  officer, 
■who  told  me  it  Avas  Gen.  Bragg's  order,  that  the  infantry  should  form 
on  a  certain  ridge,  -which  was  pointed  out.  I  formed  there,  but  was 
soon  directed  by  Col.  Jordan,  of  Gen,  Beauregard's  staff,  to  fall  back 
to  another  hill,  which  he  designated,  and  there  form  at  right  angles 
•with  the  road.  I  did  as  directed,  and  waited  some  time  for  further 
orders,  or  for  the  enemy  to  advance.  A  staff  officer  from  Gen.  Beau- 
regard then  came,  and  ordered  the  infantry  to  retire  to  Monterey,  par- 
^allcl  with  a  road  a  short  distance  to  my  left.  At  a  fork  of  the  road, 
a  portion  of  the  command  took  the  road  to  Meckey's.  The  balance  pro- 
ceeded to  Monterey  under  their  respective  officers.  I  went  to  Meckey's, 
as  did  a  portion  of  my  staff,  where  I  met  General  Buggies,  and 
reported  to  him  for  further  instructions,  lie  directed  me  to  proceed 
the  next  morning  with  my  command  to  Corinth,  and  there  resume  our 
camps,  the  tents  of  which  had  been  left  standing  when  we  started  for 
Shiloh. 

It  is  not  proper  that  I  should  close  this  report  without  bringing  to 
the  notice  of  the  General  commanding,  the  names  of  such  officers  as 
made  themselves  conspicuous  for  their  gallantry  and  efficiency  in  the 
field.  Lieut.  Col,  Charles  Jones,  commanding  the  1 7th  regiment 
Louisiana  volunteers,  was  wounded  early  in  the  action,  and  retired 
from  the  field.  Major  F.  11.  Clack,  commanding  Confederate  Guards 
Battalion,  was  ever  where  the  conflict  raged  hottest,  holding  his  com- 
mand well  in  hand,  cheering,  encouraging  and  stimulating  the  men  to 
fleetls  of  valor  and  renown.  Major  Clack  had  two  horses  shot  under 
him.  Major  McDowell,  commanding  the  Florida  batt  dion,  was  borne 
wounded  from  the  field,  before  the  action  had  fairly  begun.  The  com- 
mand devolved  upon  Capt,  Poole,  who  bore  himself  most  gallantly 
throughout  the  two  days  conflict.  The  skill  with  which,  he  handled 
his  command,  reflected  the  highest  credit  upon  him  as  an  officer,  whilst 
the  desperation  with  which  his  troops  fought,  brings  new  lustre  to  the 
arms  of  the  State  they  represented,  and  paints  imperishable  fame  upon 
the  colors  they  so  proudly  bore.  Col.  Stanley,  of  the  9th  Texas  regi- 
ment, has  already  been  incidentally  alluded  to.  The  language  of 
eulogy  could  scarcely  do  more  than  simple  justice  to  the  courage  and 
determination  of  this  officer  and  his  valorous  Texans.  Ever  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  they  were  always  ready  to  respond  to  any  de- 
mand upon  their  courage  and  endurance.  Col.  Reichard,  commanding 
the  2()th  Louisiana  regiment,  deserves  the  highest  commendation  and 
praise  for  his  indefatigable  valor,  in  leading  his  command  wherever 
the  foe  was  strongest.  Col,  Reichard's  skill  and  efficiency  as  an  officer, 
arc  only  excelled  by  his  intrepidity  abd  valor.  Lt.  Col.  Boyd,  of  the 
•ame  regiment,  did  his  whole  duty,  regardless  of  a  painful  wound  in 
the  arm,  which  he  received  in  the  first  day's  engagement.  Major  Von 
Zinker,  also,  performed  well  his  part,  having  three  horses  .shot  under 
him  during  the  conflict.  Capt.  W.  Irving  Hodgson,  commanding  the 
5th  company,  Washington  Artillery,  added  fresh  lustre  to  the  fame  of 
this  already  renowned  corps.     It  was  his  fine  practice  from  the  brow 


280 

the  hill  overlooking  the  enemy's  first  camp,  that  enabled  our  infantry 
to  rout  them  in  the  outset,  thus  giving  confidence  to  our  troops,  which 
was  .never  afterwards  once  shaken.  Althougli  the  nature  of  the 
ground  over  which  my  infantry  fought,  was  such  as  frequently  to  pre- 
clude the  use  of  artillery,  yet  Capt.  Hodgson  was  not  idle.  I  could 
hear  of  his  battery,  whenever  artillery  was  needed.  On  several  occa- 
sions, I  witnessed  the  effect  which  his  canister  and  round  shot  pro- 
duced upon  the  enemy's  masses,  and  once  saw  his  cannoniers  stand  to 
their  pieces  under  a  deadly  fire,  when  there  was  no  support  at  hand, 
and  when  to  have  retired,  would  have  left  that  part  of  the  ficM  to  the 
enemy.  When  a  full  history  of  the  battles  of  Shiloh  shall  have  beeu 
written,  the  heroic  deeds  of  the  Washington  Artillery  w'ill  illustrate 
one  of  its  brighcst  pages,  and  the  names  of  Hodgson  and  Slocumb  will 
be  held  in  grateful  remembrance,  by  a  free  people,  long  after  the  sod 
has  grown  green  upon  the  bloody  hills  of  Shiloh  ! 

Many  other  names  deserve  to  be  recorded  as  bright  ornaments  to 
the  roll  of  the  "brave  who  fought  at  Shiloh,  but  the  limits  of  my  re- 
port, already  too  extended,  forbid  it.  Where  all  behaved  so  well,  I 
would  prefer  not  to  omit  a  name  from  the  list,  but  such  a  course  is 
impracticable  at  this  time.  I  take  pleasure  in  referring  to  the  reports 
of  the  regimental  commanders  for  more  minute  detail  in  relation  to 
the  battle;  and  for  the  names  of  many  subalterns,  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates,  Avho  deserve  notice  and  commendation  for  gallant 
conduct  on  the  field. 

I  beg  leave  to  be  permitted  in  this  connexioii,  to  record  the  names 
of  my  staff  officers,  to  Avhom  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  their  very 
active  assistance  throughout  the  battle.  Captain  Wm.  G.  Barth,  A. 
A.  G.  and  Chief  of  Staff,  rendered  invaluable  service  in  transmitting 
orders  and  making'  perilous  reconnoissances.  I  was  deprived  of  his 
Bervices  during  a  portion  of  the  time  by  his  horse  being  killed  under 
him,  the  place  of  which  he  found  it  difficult  to  supply.  Lieut.  ^Vm.  M. 
Davidson,  aid-de-camp,  Avas  constantly  by  my  side,  except  when  ab- 
sent by  my  orders,  all  of  which  he  delivered  with  promptitude  and 
inrelligcnce.  While  engaged  in  this,  and  passing  from  one  portion  of 
the  field  to  another,  he  made  many  narrow  escapes,  having  frequently 
to  pass  under  nrost  galling  fires  to  reach  his  point  of  destination. 
Lieutenant  John  W.  Janes,  5th  Georgia  regiment,  acting  aid-de-camp, 
also  rendered  useful  service  early  in  the  action  of  the  sixth,  (6th)  but 
getting  cut  off  during  the  day,  by  some  means,  from  the  command,  I 
Raw  nothing  more  of  him  till  late  in  the  evening,  when  he  rejoined 
me.  anl  remained  witli  me  till  we  withdrew  from  the  field.  Captain 
Henry  D;  Bulkley,  Acting  Brigade  Commissary,  also  served  on  my 
personal  staff  on  the  occasion,  and  did  good  service  till  a  minnie  ball 
deprived  him  of  his  horse.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  supply  himself 
again,  he  rejoined  me  and  gave  me  his  ready  assistance.  Lieutenant 
Wm.  McR.  Jordan,  1st  Florida  regiment,  temporarily  attached  as  an 
acting  aid-dc-camp,  was  always  at  his  post,  ready  to  perform  any  ser- 
.  vice  required  of  him.  A  spent  ball  striking  him  in  the  loin,  compelled 
him  to  retire  for  a  while  from  the  field,  but  he  soon  returned,  having 
received  no  other  injury  than  a  severe  contusion,  which,  though  pain- 


281 

ful,  did  not  disable  liira.  Captain  John  T.  Sibley,  Brigade  Quarter- 
master, deserves  ibo  hi/jbest  praise  for  bis  activity  and  promptitude 
in  keeping  up  our  supply  of  ammunition  during  the  day's  fight.  He 
was  ever  present,  ready  to  respond  to  any  call  for  this  indispensable 
want  of  the  soldier  on  the  battle  field.  He  was  equally  efficient  in 
bringing  oft'  from  the  field  all  the  ammunition  not  consumed,  as  well 
as  his  wagons,  ambulances,  mules,  or  other  means  of  transportation, 
returning  to  Corinth  without  the  loss  of  any.  Surgeon  C.  B.  Gamble, 
Brigade  Medical  Director,  was  indefatigable  in  his  labors  throughout 
both  days  of  the  battle;  rendering  cheerfully  and  promptly,  his  pro- 
fessional services,  whenever  and  wherever  needed.  These  were  not 
pretermitted  during  the  niglit  of  the  6th  and  7th,  after  others,  ex- 
hausted by  the  fatigues  of  the  battle  field,  had  sought  early  repose.  In 
the  discharge  of  his  duty,  while  endeavoring  to  alleviate  the  pains  of 
'our  wounded,  and  to  bring  away  as  many  of  them  as  could  be  safely 
removed,  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  after  our  rear  guard  had 
retired.  Our  array  can  illy  spare  at  this  time,  one  whose  private 
worth  is  so  inestimable,  and  whose  professional  skill  is  invaluable. 

For  a  detailed  statement  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  of  my 
command,  I  refer  to  the  reports  and  lists  transmitted,  by  which  it  will 
appear,  that  I  took  into  the  field  an  aggregate  of  1636.  The  casual- 
ties Avere  434,  a  loss  of  a  little  over  26  per  cent.  Am©ng  14  mounted 
officers,  including  my  staff,  eleven  horses  Averc  killed  under  their  rider". 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

TATTON  ANDERSON, 
Brigadier  General,  Covi'g.  2nd  Brigadr. 

Rugglcs'  Division,  2nd  Corps, 

Army  of  the  Mississijypi. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  W.  A.  STANLEY. 


Ueauquarters  Otii  Regiment  Texas  Infant  rt,  ) 
CoRiNTii,  Miss.,  April  loth,  1862.     { 

To  General  P.  Anderson, 

Commanding  2nd  Brigade, 

Gen  ral  Buggies^  Division  : 

Sir  : — T  bar©  the  honor  herewith  to  report  the  proceeclinp^s  of  my 
regiment  in  the  battle  of  Shilob  on  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  1862. 
On  the  morning  of  tlie  6th,  we  advanced  in  line  of  battle  under  a 
heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  from  the  enemy's  first  encampment. 
Being  ordered  to  charge  the  battery  with  our  bayonets,  vre  made  two 
successive  attempts,  but  finding,  as  well  as  our  comrades  in  arms  on 
our  right  and  left,  it  almost  impos.sible  to  withstand  the  heavy  fire  di- 
rected at  our  ranks,  we  were  compelled  to  withdraw  for  a  short  tim3, 
with  considerable  loss.  Being  then  ordered,  wc  proceeded  immediately 
to  the  support  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  which,  from  their  bat- 
tery's well  directed  fire,  soon  silenced  the  battery  of  the  enemy.  After 
which  we  immediately  charged,  routing  the  enemy  from  their  first 
encampment,  and  continued  a  forward  double  quick  march  until  we 
passed  through  two  other  encampments  of  the  enemy,  where  wc  found 
our  troops  again  heavily  engaged  with  a  second  battery  and  its  supports, 
to  the  galling  fire  of  which  my  regiment  was  openly  exposed.  At  this 
point  my  Jiorse  was  shot  from  under  me,  and  several  of  my  bravest 
men  were  killed  and  wounded.  We  nevertheless  succeeded  in  driving 
the  enemy  from  their  battery,  killing  a  number  and  pursuing  the  re- 
mainder a  considerable  distance  beyond.  At  this  point,  the  supply  of 
ammunition  in  the  cartridge  boxes  of  my  men  being  exhausted,  1  was 
compelled  to  resort  to  my  ammunition  wagon,  a  short  distance  off,  for 
a  fresh  supply.  In  the  meantime,  firing  continued  incessantly  on  our 
right.  We  were  then  ordered  to  join  the  command  in  that  direction, 
who  were  reported  to  have  the  enemy  badly  routed,  and  driving  them 
towards  their  gunboats.  After  proceeding  some  distance,  we  found 
ourselves  in  the  range  of  shell  and  shot  fired  from  the  boats  and  vi- 
cinity. At  this  point,  night  put  a  close  to  the  action  for  the  day  of 
the  6th.  We  retired  from  this  point  to  form  our  encampment  for  the 
night,  our  troops  being  more  or  less  scattered,  some  having  been  com- 
pletely exhausted  from  the  fatigues  of  the  day.     We  formed  them  in 


I 


283 

two  ^^roups,  leaving  ono  to  encamp  on  the  battle-field,  the  other  near 
the  general  hospital. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  I  again  formed  my  regiment  andprocceled 
to  the  battle-field.  After  arriving  tliere  the  enemy  again  opened  fire 
on  our  left.  We  were  ordered  to  the  support  of  a  battery  stationed  to 
defend  that  point,  but  our  support  not  being  required  at  the  time  wo 
reached  the  battery,  two  companies  of  my  regiment  were  deployed  as 
skirmishers,  while  the  remainder  stood  in  line  of  battle  in  a  hollow  at 
the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards  from  the  breastworks  of  the  enemy, 
our  skirmishers  returning  and  reporting  the  enemy  advancing  towards 
the  breastworks.  At  this  moment  the  skirmishers  of  the  enemy  ap- 
peared at  the  breastworks,  when  we  were  ordered  to  charge  them, 
which  we  did  successfully,  although  under  a  heavy  fire  of  both  mus- 
ketry and  artillery,  only  one  man  being  wounded  in  the  charge.  After 
their  guns  were  silenced  at  this  point,  we  were  ordered  to  the  right, 
where  a  heavy  fire  of  vSmall  arms  had  commenced.  On  reaching  the 
scene  of  action  at  this  point,  the  enemy  seemed  to  have  been  routed, 
having  ceased  firing. 

After  being  halted  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  firing  again  com- 
menced on  our  left.  We  were  ordered  again  to  that  point,  and  ther* 
became  engaged  witli  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy's  line.  We  ad- 
vanced and  sustained  our  position  for  some  time  after  the  troops  on 
our  right  and  left  had  given  way,  but  my  regiment  being  small  and 
losing  two  among  our  bravest  officers.  Captain  J.  J.  Dickson,  of  com- 
pany '*I."  and  Lieutenant  Hamil,  of  company  "  F,"  they  being  !  illed 
at  this  point,  with  several  of  my  men,  I  was  compelled  to  fall  ))ack, 
though  still  keeping  up  our  fire.  We  again  rallied  and  formed  in  line, 
making  a  desperate  struggle,  causing  the  enemy  to  fall  back  for  t% 
short  distance.  The  enemy  then  making  a  move  towards  our  right  flank, 
we  foil  back  in  line,  taking  advantage  of  the  cover  of  some  rising 
ground  to  secure  thjm,  and  there  remained,  the  enemy  retiring  towards 
the  woods  on  our  rifjlit.      We  were  then  withdrawn  from  the  field. 

The  number  taken  into  action  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-six 
(226),  including  officers  and  enlisted  men.  • 

The  number  killed  in  action,  three  (3)  commissioned  officers  and 
eleven  (11)  enlisted.  Wounded  two  (2)  commissioned  and  forty  (40) 
Nilisted.      Missing,  eleven   (1 1)  enlisted. 

To  the  best  of  my  recollection  the  foregoing  is  a  correct  report  of 
the  proceedings  of  my  regiment  on  the  6th  and  7th  inst. 

Very  respectfully, 
•  Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  A.  STANLEY, 

Col.  commaniing. 


I 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  S.  S.  HEARD. 


Headquarters  17th  Louisiana  Volunteers,  > 

April  15th,  1862.      I 

To  W.  G.  Bauth, 

A.  A.  A.  General,  2ni  Brigade,  Ruggks^  Division : 

Sir:  The  reason  why  Captain  D.  W.  Self,  company  B,  did  not 
appear  on  the  fiekl  of  battle  at  Shiloh,  until  the  morning  of  the  7th 
inst.,  was  this  :  That  officer  was  confined  to  his  bed  by  a  severe 
attack  of  pneumonia,  when  the  regiment  left  Corinth,  on  the  3d  inst. 
He  (Captain  Self,)  feeling  himself  able  on  the  evening  of  the  oth,  to 
join  his  regiment,  left  Corinth  and  joined  the  regimerft;  lato  Sunday 
evening,  after  the  action  of  the  6th  had  closed, 
1  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  S.  HEARD, 
Coloiiel  commanding  Xlth  La.  Vols. 


HEPORT    OF    LIEUTENANT-COLOKEL    CHARLES   JOI^ESf. 


Headquarters  17th  Regiment  La.  Volunteers,  > 

Camp  Corinth,  April  11th,  1862.      ) 

To  W.  G.  Earth, 

Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  C.  S.  Forces : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  tlij3  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  the  17th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  in  the  action  of  the 
6th  and  7th  inst.,  near  the  Tennessee  River. 

We  were  brought  into  action  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  occupying 
the  extreme  right  of  the  brigade,  until  we  were  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
artillery,  where  we  remained  for  some  time,  until  we  were  ordered 
with  a  portion  of  the  line  on  our  right  and  left,  to  take  a  battery  imme- 
diately in  our  front.  A  Tennessee  regiment,  the  i2d,  I  think,  was  in 
front  of  us.  We  were  delayed  a  mouient  by  this  regiment,  when  1 
gave  the  order  to  charge.  When  we  reached  the  top  of  the  hill,  the 
enemy  poured  into  us  a  murderous  fire.  The  Tennessee  regiment 
before  referred  to,  retired  by  a  flank  through  our  lines,  cutting  thuir 
way  through  the  center  of  our  fourth  company,  separating  our  right 
from  our  left,  and  throwing  us  into  some  confusion.  We  did  aot  retire^^ 
however,  until  we  had  poured  several  volleys  into  the  enemy.  We  li>sf 
several  killed  and  wounded  in  this  charge.  We  retired  to  the  fo^ot  of 
the  h  11  to  reform  for  a  second  attack.  The  right  wing  also  retired 
further  to  the  right,  having  been  cut  off  irom  the  colors  by  the  Ten- 
nessee regiment.  They  charged  the  second  time,  with  I  think  the 
2(lth  Louisiana,  on  the  enemy's  left  line  of  support,  when  the  battery 
was  secured.  I  charged  with  the  left  wing  on  the  enemy's  right, 
around  the  left  of  the  hill,  when  1  received  a  destructive  fl.-mk  fire 
from  another  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  as  wcllas  from  his  small  arms. 
From  this  position  we  were  compelled  to  fall  back  to  our  first.  It  was 
in  this  second  charge  that  Captain  R.  IL  Curry,  of  company*  C,  and 
Captain  W.  A.  Maddux,  of  company  I,  both  fell  severely  wounded. 

It  was  now  my  object  to  unite  the  two  wings  which  were  acting 
separately,  the  right  under  command  of  Captain  Roger.^,  of  company 
A.  I  found  this  impossible;  and  with  the  left,  which  was  much  the 
larger  portion,  and  to  which  the  colors  Yrerc  attached,  I  advanced  by 
the  left  flank,  to  take  a  position  about  200  yards  in  front.     In  accom- 


286 

plishing  this,  wc  had  to  cross  a  ravine,  Avhere  we  were  cxpogcfi  to  a 
raking  fire  of  shot  and  shell,  as  well  as  from  small  arms.  It  was  in 
passing  this  ravine  that  my  Sergcant-Major,  Thuron  Stone,  who  had 
been  of  great  service  to  me  thus  far  in  the  action,  fell  at  my  side  leading 
the  column.  He  was  shot  through  the  thigh,  though  not  dangerouslj. 
On  reaching  the  hill,  1st  Lieutenant  T.  0.  llincs,  of  company  K,  had 
his  left  arm  carried  away  by  a  cannon  ball.  Immediately  after,  I 
received  a  very  severe  shock  and  bruise  by  being  thrown  from  my 
horse.  He  was  frightened  by  the  bursting  of  a  bomb.  Having  recov- 
ered from  m}-  fall  and  secured  my  horse,  I  hurried  on  to  the  action.  I 
could  not  find  my  left  wing,  which  I  afterwards  learned  behaved  gal- 
lantly, under  command  of  ('aptain  Otterson,  of  company  II.  I  found 
a  portion  of  the  right  wing,  joined  with  the  Confederate  Guard,  and  a 
portion  of  the  1 1th  Louisiana.  We  charged  upon  a  line  of  the  enemy, 
and  drove  them  from  the  field.  We  remained  in  this  position  for  a 
considerable  time,  when  General  Anderson  arrived  with  the  2i)th 
Louiriiana,  and  ordered  the  line  forward.  At  this  moment  I  waa 
wounded  in  the  arm  by  a  minnie  ball  and  retired.  After  having  my 
■wound  dressed,  I  immediately  returned  to  the  field  in  search  of  mj 
command.  I  fell  in  with  General  Ruggles,  and  reported  myself  to 
him.  He  invited  me  to  remain  with  him  as  the  action  was  drawing  to 
a  close.  The  enemy  having  retired,  and  left  us  in  possession  of  the 
field,  and  being  unable  to  find  more  than  about  fifty  of  my  command, 
I,  with  my  Adjutant,  who  had  received  a  slight  wound,  retired  with 
this  small  force  to  the  ambulance  depot  to  assist  the  wounded,  and 
remain  during  the  night.  Our  wounded  suffered  greatly,  having 
nothing  to  protect  them  from  the  rain,  which  fell  in  torrents  a  greater 
portion  of  the  night.  i^Iany  of  them  lay  that  night  in  pools  of  water 
two  or  three  inches  deep.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  I  sent  mj 
Adjutant  on  to  form  the  regiment  or  such  portions  of  it  as  he  couM 
find  near  the  Big  Spring.  When  I  came  up  with  my  small  command,  I 
found  that  my  Adjutant  had  joined  some  other  brigade,  with  what 
number  he  could  find.  I,  with  what  few  men  I  had  managed  to  gather 
together,  about  2')()  in  all,  composed  of  stragglers  from  different  regi- 
ments, with  the  aid  of  Captain  Self,  of  company  B,  who  had  now  for 
the  first  time  appeared  upon  the  field,  and  some  other  officers,  managed 
to  form  a  line,  and  keep  it  in  place,  until  ordered  by  General  lluggles 
to  advance.  The  General  at  this  instant  rode  in  front  of  the  lines, 
and  seizing  the  fiag  from  the  hands  of  the  color  bearer,  gallantly  led 
them  to  the  charge.  In  this  charge  he  was  assisted  by  Colonel  S.  S. 
Heard.  Captain  Self,  of  company  B,  fell  severely  wounded.  Our 
forces  now  began  to  reti:e  from  the  field. 

Tiie  officers  and  soldiers  under  my  command,  so  far  as  came  under 
my  observation,  behaved  with  ranch  gallantry.  They  went  into  action 
on  the  second  day,  however,  with  much  less  alacrity  than  on  the  day 
previous,  which  I  attributed  to  the  fatigue  and  exposure  of  the  previous 
day  and  night. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  S'irvant, 

CHARLES  JONES,  . 
Lri'^utenant-Colonel  commanding  Mth  Begimcnt  Ixntisiana  Volunteers. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  FRANKLIN  II.  CLACK. 


Headquarters  Conff.dkratf.  Guards  Rksponse  Battalion, 
Camp  nf.ar  Corinth,  Mississippi, 

April  W.th,  18G2. 

To  Brigadier  General  Patton  Anderson, 

Cornmandmg  2nd  Brigade,  Ruggks^  Division,  2nd  Grand 

Division,  Army  of  the  Miss.,  Cornp  near  Corinth,  Uliss  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  in  obedience  to  your  orders 
about  5  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  Gth  instant,  I  drew  up  my  command 
in  column  at  half  distance  on  the  left  of  the  17t]i  ro'giment 
Louisiana  volunteers,  ^Yhich  occupied  the  right  of  your  brigade 
at  a  point  distant,  as  I  Nvas  informed,  about  three  miles  from  the 
enemy's  nearest  camp,  and  between  Owl  cr^ek  and  Bark  road,  in 
McNairy  county,  Tenn.  The  position  assigned  the  brigade  at  first, 
that  of  a  reserve,  to  support  the  1st  and  2nd  brigades  of  General 
Rugglcs'  division,  having  been  changed,  I  formed  my  battalion  in  line 
of  battle  under  your  orders  in  the  same  relative  position  as  at  first,  in 
the  brigade,  whicli  at  tliat  time  formed  the  left  of  (Jencral  Ilardcea 
line.  On  arriving  at  the  ridge  nearest  the  enemy's  first  caujp,  owing 
to  some  accident,  the  )7th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  became  for 
a  time  separated  from  ray  right,  and  the  1st  Florida  and  the  9th  Texas, 
jemaincd  in  their  position  on  my  left.  The  order  was  then  given  to 
advance,  and  I  took  up  a  position  in  a  hollow  immediately  below  a  hill, 
^n  which  was  a  camp  of  the  enemy  and  on  the  slope  beyoml  which 
they  had  a  battery  in  position.  The  charge  was  niadc  by  ray  battalion, 
suppjrted  on  my  right  by  a  portion  of  a  regiraent  which  I  was  in- 
formed, constituted  a  part  of  General  Polk's  comraand.  The  enemy 
were  being  driven  back  with  much  eflfort  and  stubbornly  resisting, 
^vhcn  some  one  in  the  force  on  the  right,  gave  tlie  order  to  fall  back, 
and  simultaneously,  that  force  came  rushing  back,  bearing  my  own 
men  with  them.  I  drew  ofi'  my  force  to  the  hollow,  fron  which 
we  had  charged.  The  second  charge  was  successful,  and  we  pursued 
the  enemy  through  that  and  another  camp,  and  were  brouglit  to  u 
stand  by  discovering  a  considerable  forec  of  the  enemy  posted  in  a 
J-hick  wood  on  a  slope  to  our  left.  Having  been  separated  from  you.  I 
<*onPTilted  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jones,  of  the  I7lh  Louisiana,  who 


288 

I  fouml  had  joined  me  on  my  left,  and  with  General  Russell,  and  wc 
deemed  it  advit-ablc  to  pause.  You  then  placed  the  brigade  in  line, 
and  if  I  am  not  mi<^taken  in  localities,  led  us  to  the  successful  att.ick 
of  a  camp  on  the  left  of  our  line.  From  this  time,  sir,  until  the  close 
of  the  day,  I  am  unable  to  describe  the  various  localities  in  Avliich 
vou  led  us  to  the  attack.  Wo  made  several  other  successful  charges, 
being  ordered  from  one  part  of  the  field  to  others,  where  our  services 
were  most  needed.  Having  bivouacked  that  night  in  a  camp  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  succeeding  morning,  at  6  A.  M.,  in  obedience  to  your 
orders,  I  formed  my  line,  and  ve  Avere  placed  as  a  reserve.  Being 
ordered  to  the  left,  in  advance,  with  the  artillery  on  our  left,  the 
enemy  were  discovered  in  position,  in  our  front,  protected  by  log 
breastworks;  the  order  was  given  to  charge,  which  was  executed,  and 
the  enemy  driven  from  their  position.  It  was  then  discovered  that 
they  had  a  camp  on  the  hill  behind  their  breastworks,  and  after  our 
flag  had  been  planted  in  their  camp,  a  battery  placed  on  a  slope  about 
500  yards  to  our  left,  6pened  on  us,  and  you  ordered  us  to  fall  back 
to  the  ravine,  whence  we  had  charged.  '  The  enemy  still  having  our 
range,  you  ordered  a  further  retiring  beyond  range.  From  this,  to  our 
final  actions  with  the  brigade,  my  ignorance  of  the  geographical  details 
of  the  localities  of  the  battle  ground,  and  the  numerous  charges  and 
changes  made  in  our  position,  prevent  my  giving  any  specific  details  of 
operitions,  except  that  I  remember  w-e  were  kept  busy  in  moving  and 
in  attack.  Having  arrived  at  that  camp  of  the  enemy  on  the  left  of 
the  large  parade  ground,  you  ordered  an  advance  to  dislodge  the 
enemy  occupying  a  wood  skirting  the  rear  of  this  camp.  I  understood 
we  were  ordered  to  support  an  attack  to  be  made  by  quite  a  large  force 
on  our  right,  which  I  did  not  perceive,  however.  Having  advanced  and 
engaged  the  enemy,  it  becoming  apparent  they  were  in  great  force,  you 
ordered  us  to  fall  back.  From  this  time,  I  lost  sight  of  you,  and  my  com- 
mand became  somewhat  scattered.  I  succeeded,  however,  in  rallying 
them  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  ovei  looking  the  enemy's  camps,  and  un- 
der the  personal  instructions  of  Gen. "Beauregard,  formed  lino  of  battle, 
incorporating  in  my  command  some  fragments  of  the  9th  Texas  and  1st 
Florida.  Alter  futile  endeavors  on  the  part  of  several  officers,  myself 
among  the  number,  to  rally  a  sufficient  number  to  rencAV  the  a  tack, 
I  awaited  orders'.  .None  came,  and  perceiving  the  two  lines  that  were 
drawn  up  ostensibly  to  support  the  advance  of  which  wc  formed  the 
right,  diminishing  by  stragglers  and  finally  filing  off,  I  drew  off  my 
command,  flanking  and  filing  to  the  riglit,  imme<liatcly  after  troops  on 
my  loft;  some  few  in  number,  had  broken  from  the  line  and  filed  to  the 
left.  Wot  having  received  any  specific  instructions  or  orders,  1  led 
ray  command  to  my  last  encampment  at  this  place.  I  regret,  sir,  that 
the  irregular  course  of  the  engagement  of  the  6th  and  7th  instant, 
renders  it  difficult  for  me  to  be  specific,  a  difficulty  made  almost  abso- 
lute by  the  rapidity  with  which  you  changed  the  positions  iDf  your 
brigade  and  the  many  points  you  were  called  on  to  attack,  for  while 
your  command  was  intended  as  a  reserve,  I  believe  it  never  once  oc- 
cupied that  position,  or  that  of  a  support  "or  any  other  force  than  that 
of  an  attacking  force.     I  cannot  close  this  feeble   report,  sir,  without 


289 

calling  your  attention  to  a  matter  whicli  my  sense  of  duty  impels  me- 
to  mention,  the  strong  immediate  necessity  for  the  strictest  moral  and 
severe  discipline.  Had  Ave  but  had  this  discipline,  there  Avould  not 
now  be  an  enemy's  foot  pressing  the  soil  in  the  vicinity  of  our  late  bat- 
tle. I  am  convinced  that  nothing  but  the  daring  courage  exhibited  by 
a  large  portion  of  our  force,  enabled  us  to  sustain  ourselves.  Deem- 
ing it  a  duty,  also,  to  suggest  anything,  that  in  my  opinion,  may  tend 
to  correct  -what  I  regard  an  evil,  I  must  say  that  the  volunteering 
system,  as  far  as  my  experience  goes,  is  an  evil,  the  greater  in  an  in- 
verse ratio,  as  is  the  term  of  service  short.  Be  assured,  General,  that 
"Nve  never  can  cope  successfully  Avith  our  foe,  unless  avc  "discipline  our 
forces,  and  that  the  discipline  necessary  should  be  perfect.  Our  mili- 
tary organization  can  never  l)e  obtained  under  the  volunteer  system. 
We  must  have  recourse  to  drafting  or  conscript.  The  scenes,  sir,  we 
both  Avitnessed  on  the  6th  and  7th  instant,  Avhen  stragglers  Avould  fall 
from  their  OAvn  lines  and  retiring  under  cover  of  another  line,  fir 3 
recklessly  to  the  front,  must  convince  you  of  the  justness  of  my  re- 
marks. Not  in  this  alone,  but  the  disorders  resulting  from  Avant  of ' 
proper  discipline,  Avere  numberless;  the  most  fatal  to  the  consumma- 
tion of  a  success  so  gallantly  begun,  being  the  laAvless  spirit  of  plun- 
der and  pillage,  so  recklessly  indulged  in.  While  our  foe  throAvs  doAvn 
all  the  barriers  of  constitutional  liberty  in  his  career  of  oppression  and 
invaj^ion,  Ave  are  fatally  lacking  in  the  most  important  element  of  re- 
sistance, not  that  I  would  imitate  his  example,  but  our  hiAvs  arc  amply 
sufficient  to  correct  the  evil,  did  Ave  but  enforce  them. 

I  regret  to  be  compelled  to  report  f[uite  a  severe  loss  in  my  com- 
mand. It  is  as  folloAvs :  five  killed  on  the  field,  five  mortally  wounded, 
one  dangerously  Avoundcd,  tAventy  severely  Avounded,  fourteen  slightly, 
wounded,  and  one  missing — total  casualties,  forty-five.  My  actual 
force  in  the  field,  was  one  hundred  and  f:rty-four  muskets,  and  nine 
officers.  To  the  gallant  bearing  of  my  officers,  I  cannot  bear  too  high 
a  tribute;  ever  present  until  disabled,  they  rendered  most  efficient 
service. 

To  Assistant   Quartermaster  LieutcnaMt  Monheimer,  is  due  great 
credit  for  the  efficient  manner  in  Avhich  he  kept  the  battalion  supplied 
Avith  ammunition  and  took  off  the  Avounded.     In  the  death  of  1st  Lieu- 
tenant Macbeth,  of  company  B,  I  lost  a  most  valuable  officer  and  hia  . 
country  a  noble  and  brave  son. 

(Japtain  Macmurdo,  after  conducting  his   company    through    both 
days,  Avith  singular   coolness   and   bravery,  Avas   disabled   in  the    last 
charge,  by  a  severe  contusion  in  the  breust  by  a  spent  ball.     Captain 
FoAvler  and  Lieutenants   Hyatt  and    Ilardie,  Averc  severely   Avounded. 
while  gallantly  discharging   their   duty.      Adjutant  Price  and   l.ifu-- 
tenants  Bouner   and  Browne,  rendered    very  efficient  service.      From  i 
the  report  of  Captain   Macmurdo,  of  company  A,  I  desire  to  call  your  • 
attention  to  the  gallant  bearing  of  privates  Harris  an<l  North,  ol  hia; 
company,  who,  after  the  color  Sergeant  Avas  AVounded,  bore  the  flag  of 
the  battalion  gallantly  in  the  front  until  severely  Avounded.   Lieutenant 
Price,  in  command  of  company  B,  mentions  with  much  approbation,. 
19 


290 

the  brave  conduct  of  color  Sergeant  Doyle,  and  private  Cluff,  of  that 
company. 

In  conclusion,  sir,  -when  I  reflect,  that  this  command  had  never  been 
under  fire  before,  that  they  were  called  on  to  meet  the  enemy  after 
a  most  fatiguing  march,  and  that  they  were  moved  from  one  portion 
of  the  field  to  another,  very  rapidly  during  both  days,  I  will  not  be 
thought  to  express  myself  too  strongly,  when  1  say  that  they  did  their 
duty  as  oflicers  and  men  gallantly,  and  I  may  well  say  efficiently, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANKLIN  II.  CLACK, 
Major  Confederate  Guards  Response  Battalion. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  AUGUSTUS  REICHARD,  COMMAND- 
ING TWENTIETH  REGLMENT  LOUISIANA  VOLUN- 
TEERS. 


Headquarters  20th  Regimknt  Louisiana  Volunteers,  > 
Camp  near  Corinth,  Jlpril  11,  1862.      ) 

Captain  W.  G.  Booth, 

A.  A.  A.  General  2d  Brigade  ; 

Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report  in  relation  to  thr 
participation  of  my  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  Gth  and 
7th  instants : 

I  took  into  the  fiehl  three  field,  five  staff,  and  twenty-seven  company 
officers,  with  472  rank  and  file,  with  whom,  according  to  the  disposi- 
tion made,  I  occupied  the  extreme  left  of  tho  brigade,  somewhat  in 
rear  of  the  right  ot  Colonel  Pond's  brin-ade. 

Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  battle  the  brigade  moved  for- 
ward, and,  as  we  approached  the  enemy,  I  was  ordered  to  file  off  by 
the  left,  in  the  execution  of  which  movement,  the  regiment  passing 
through  a  dense  undergrowth,  in  which  it  was  impossible  to  see  five 
paces  ahead,  I  suddenly  was  informed  that  we  were  separated  from  the 
balance  of  the  brigade.  Just  at  the  moment,  when  I  was  retracing 
my  steps  to  rejoin  the  brigade,  a  Tennessee  regiment,  in  full  retreat, 
broke  right  throuirh  my  line,  causing  much  disorder.  The  regiment, 
liowcvcr,  soon  rallied,  regained  its  position,  and  gallantly  fought 
during  the5whole  day,  side  by  side  with  the  other  regiments  of  the 
brigade.  At  the  last  charge,  towards  evening,  when  my  regiment 
was  severely  cut  up  by  a  cro.«8  fire  from  rifle-pits  and  a  battery, 
pouring  forth  a  hail  storm  of  canister,  my  regiment  was  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  and,  as  night  set  in.  I  led  the  remnante 
of  the  reg<ment  to  our  hospital,  where  we  bivouacke<l. 

The  next  morning,  having  collected  many  of  my  men,  who  had  been 
scattered  about,  1  put  the  regiment  in  movement,  and,  adding  what- 
ever stragglers  1  coiiM  gather  on  the  road,  reported  to  General  iicau- 
regard  for  orders.  lie  ordered  mc  to  r  inforce  (icneral  Breckinridge, 
who  found  himself  hard  pressed  on  our  left ;  and,  after  reporting  to 
him,  took  immediate  part  in  the  fight  that  was  going  on  before  us. 
The  enemy  having  fallen  back,  General  Breckinridge  ordered  me  to 
go  to  the  support  of  a  battery  which  had  taken  position  to  our  right 
beyontl  an  open  fieM.  sweeping  an  open  passage,  leading,  I  suppose, 
to  the  river.     The  enemy  in  front  having  been  dislodged,  and  there 


292 

b^in"  no  further  necessity  to  remain  with  the  battery,  I  moved  towards 
the  left  where  the  fight  was  hardest.  On  the  way  I  met  General 
Breckinridge,  and,  asking:  for  further  orders,  he  directed  me  to  join 
(leneral  Cheatham's  brigade,  but,  in  case  I  should  not  be  able  to  find 
him,  to  join  any  other  brigade  where  I  could  make  myself  most  useful. 
I^ot  finding  General  Cheatham's  brigade,  and  meeting  my  own  com- 
mander. General  J.  Patton  Anderson,  I,  of  course,  joined  his  brigade, 
and  kept  up  fighting  under  his  command,  until  the  order  for  retreat 
was  issued. 

My  regiment  fought  this  their  first  battle  with  the  utmost  bravery, 
and  where,  Avith  very  few  exceptions,  almost  every  one  faithfully  per- 
formed his  duty,  it  is  almost  out  of  place  to  make  distinctions.  I 
cannot,  however,  omit  to  mention  First  Lieutenant  Bishop,  of  company 
A,  who,  throughout  both  days,  made  himself  conspicuous  for  his  gal- 
lantry, and  the  cool,  collected  manner  in  which  he  was  unremittedly 
occupied  to  keep  his  company  well  in  hand.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Boyd  was  slightly  wounded  early  in  the  first  day's  fight,  but  remained 
at  his  post  until  that  evening.  Major  Von  Zinker  bravely  led  several 
attacks  with  the  colors  in  his  hand,  but  was  disabled  early  on  the 
second  day  by  the  fall  of  his  horse,  which  was  killed  under  him. 
The  color-bearer.  Sergeant  Hoffmann,  paid,  with  his  life,  the  gallant 
manner  in  which  he  carried  the  colors  always  into  the  thickest  of  the 
fight. 

The  annexed  statement,  A,  gives  a  revised  account  of  the  killed, 
wounded  and  missing. 

I  remain,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,  ■  ■ 

AUGUSTUS  REICHARD, 
Colonel  commanding  'ZOt/i  Regiment  La.  Vols, 


RErORT  OF  CAPTAIN  W.  G.  TOOLE. 


ITkadquautf.rs  Florida  I^attai.ion,  ) 
April  12th,  1862.       ] 

To  General  Patton  Amderson, 

Brig.  Gen.,  commanding  2nd  Brigade, 

Buggies'  Division  : 

General: — In   accordance   with  your  circular  of  the  11th  of  this 
month,  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  followinj;  report. 

In  the  first  place,  it  becomes  a  painful  duty  to  rccor<l  the  fall  of 
jNIajor  McDonald,  being  seriously  wounded  early  in  the  action  of  the 
6th,  whereupon  the  command  immediately  devolved  upon  me. 
«  Pressing  forward,  we  gained  the  valley  opposite  and  close  to  the  first 
camp  of  the  enemy,  and  in  the  first  charge  lost  several  of  my  com- 
mand in  killed  and  wounded.  I  then  joined  the  brigade  at  the  second 
camp,  and  was  ordered  forAvard  to  support  a  portion  of  our  advance 
columns.  The  advance  having  fallen  back,  placed  us  in  front,  where 
for  some  time  wc  were  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy.  It 
was  at  this  time  that  our  battalion  suffered  most.  1st  Lieutenant  L. 
M.  Anderson,  of  company  A  (commanding),  was  shot  in  the  forehead 
and  instantly  killed,  and  the  company  being  without  a  commander,  1 
ordered  2n(i  Lieutenant  Stephens,  of  company  P>,  to  the  command. 
In  a  very  few  minutes  he  was  also  severely  wounded,  I  then  ordered 
1st  Lieutenant  Turner,  of  company  C,  to  take  command.  Captain 
Means  and  1st  Lieutenant  Miller,  of  company  B,  and  2nd  Lieutenant 
Turner,  of  company  C,  and  Lieutenant  Hull,  commanding  company  I, 
(since  dead),  were  wounded.  Several  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates  were  also  killed  and  wounded  while  under  this  fire.  I  then 
withdrew  the  battalion  (by  order)  to  the  protection  of  a  section  of  the 
Washington  Artillery  battery.  Forming  with  the  brigade,  wc  again 
adva'iced  and  assisted  in  routing  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces  that 
had  taken  position  in  an  encampment  on  our  left.  My  command  then, 
with  a  portion  of  the  brigade,  proceeded  forward  as  far  as  within  range 
of  the  heavy  guns  on  the  Tennessee  river,  where  we  were  for  some 
time  exposed  to  the  enemy's  shells.  One  or  two  of  my  commna<i  were 
cither  killed  or  mortally  wounded  while  under  this  fire.  Wc  then  fell 
back  to  the  enemy's  camp  and  bivouacked  during  tlie  night.     On  the 


2D  4 

morning  of  tlic  7th,  being  too  hoarse  to  take  command  of  the  battalloD, 
I  tamed  it  over  to  Captain  W,  C.  Bird,  of  company  C. 

Accompanying  this  report  will  be  found  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded 
and  missing  of  each  company — all  of  which  is  most  respectfully  sub- 
mitted. 

W.  G.  POOLE, 
Snior  Capt-ain, 
Commanding  Fiorina  Battalion. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  HODGSON. 


Headquarters  5th  Company, 

Battalion  Washington  Artillery, 
Camp  Moore,  Corinth,  Miss.,  April  9th,  1862. 

To  Brigadier  General  Patton  Anderson, 

Commanding  2d  Brigade,  Ruggles'  Division,  Army  Miss  : 

General:  In  accordance  with  "usage,"!  hereby  report  to  you, 
the  "  action"  of  my  battery  in  the  battle  of  the  6th  and  7th  inst. 

My  battery,  consisting  of  2  6-pounder  smooth  bore  guns,  2  6-poun- 
der  rifled  guns,  and  2  12-poun(ler  howitzers — total,  6  pieces  fully 
equipped,  with  ammunition,  horses  and  men,  entered  the  field  just  in 
the  rear  of  the  20th  Louisiana  regiment,  (the  right  regiment  of  your 
brigade,)  on  Sunday  morning,  the  6th  inst.,  on  the  hill,  overlooking 
from  the  south-west,  the  encampment  of  the  enemy,  immediately  to 
the  front  of  it,  and  to  the  northeast,  being  the  first  camp  attacked  and 
taken  by  an  army. 

At  7  o'clock,  A.  M.,  we  opened  fire  on  their  camp,  with  our  full 
battery  of  six  guns,  firing  shell  and  spherical  case  shot,  soon  silencing 
one  of  their  batteries,  and  filling  the  enemy  with  consternation.  After 
firing  some  forty  (40)  rounds  thus,  we  were  directed  by  Gen.  llugglea, 
to  shell  a  camp  immediately  upon  the  left  of  the  one  just  mentioned, 
and  in  which  there  was  a  battery,  from  which  the  shot  and  slicll  were 
thrown  on  all  sides  of  us.  With  two  howitzers  and  two  rifled  guns 
under  Lieuts.  Slocurab  and  Vaughn,  assisted  by  two  pieces  from  Capt. 
Sharp's  battery,  we  soon  silenced  their  guns  and  had  the  extreme  grat- 
ification of  seeing  our  brave  and  gallant  troops  charge  through  thc^e 
two  camps,  running  the  enemy  before  'them  at  the  point  of  th« 
bayonet. 

At  this  point,  I  lost  your  command,  and.  on  the  order  of  Gen.  Bug- 
gies, to  go  where  I  heard  the  most  firing,  I  passed  over  the  first  camp 
captured,  through  a  third,  and  on  to  a  fourth,  in  which  your  troopa 
•were  doing  sad  havoc  to  the  enemy  I  forme<l  in  battory  on  your  ex- 
treme left,  in  the  avenue  of  the  camp,  and  commenced  firing  with 
canister  from  four  (4)  guns,  into  the  tents  of  the  enemy,  only  some 
50  yards  off.     It  was  at  this  point,  I  Buffered  most.     The  skirmishers 


29G 

of  the  enemy,  lying  in  their  tents,  only  a  stone's  throw  from  us,  cut 
holes  through  their  tents  near  the  ground,  and  with  ''  white  powder" 
or  some  preparation  which  discharged  their  arms  without  report, 
played  a  deadly  fire,  in  among  my  cannoniers,  killing  three  men, 
wounding  7  or  8,  besides  killing  some  of  my  most  valuable  horses, 
mine  among  the  rest.  As  soon  as  we  were  well  formed  in  battery,  and 
pot  well  to  work,  Ave  saw  them  creeping  from  their  tents  and  making 
for  the  woods,  and  immediately  afterwards  saw  your  column  charge 
the  whole  of  them  in  ambush,  and  put  them  to  flight. 

A  visit  through  that  portion  of  their  camp,  at  a  subsequent  hour 
satisfied  me  from  the  number  of  the  dead,  and  the  "nature  of  their 
wounds,  that  my  battery  had  done  its  duty.  Losing  you  again,  at  this 
point,  on  account  of  tlie  heavy  brush-wood  through  which  you  charged, 
I  was  requested  by  Gen.  Trudeau,  to  plant  two  guns  further  down  the 
avenue,  say  about  two  hundred  yards  off,  to  shell  a  fifth  camp,  further 
on,  which  I  did,  and  after  firing  a  dozen  or  more  shell,  had  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  the  cavalry  charge  the  camp,  putting  the  enemy  to 
flight,  killing  many,  and  capturing  many  wounded  prisoners. 

Iking  again  without  a  Commanding  General,  and  not  knowing  your, 
exact  po.sition,  I  received  and  executed  orders  from  General  Hardee, 
and  his  aid.  Col.  Kearney,  also,  from  Col.  Chisholm,  of  Gen.  Beaure- 
gard's staff,  and,  in  fact,  from  other  aids,  whose  names  I  do  not  know, 
going  to  points  threatened  and  exposed,  and  where  firing  was  continual, 
rendering  cheerfully,  all  the  assistance  I  could  with  my  battery,  and 
reduced  in  men  and  horses,  all  fatigued  and  hungry. 

At  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  at  the  instance  of  Gen.  Hardee,  I  opened 
from  the  5th  canip  we  had  entered,  fired  upon  a  sixth  camp,  due  north 
— silencing  the  battery,  and  driving  the  enemy  from  their  tents; — 
said  portion  of  the  army  of  the  enemy  were  charged,  and  their 
battery  captured,  afterwards  lost  again,  by  the  Guard  Orleans  and 
other  troops  on  our  left,  under  Col.  Preston  Pond,  Jr.  This  was 
about  the  last  firing  of  my  battery  on  the  sixth  instant.  Taking  the 
main  road  to  I'iltsburg  landing,  we  followed  on  the  heels  of  our  men, 
after  a  retreating  and  badly  whipped  army,  until   within  three-fourths 

•  of  a  mile  of  the  Tennessee  river,  when  the  enemy  began  to  slicU  the 
woods  from  their  gun-boats.  Gen.  Ruggles  ordered  us  back  to  the 
enemy's  camp,  where  we  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

I  received  orders,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  at  about  5  and-a-half 
o'clock,  to    follow  your  command  with  my    battery,  and  at    G  o'clock, 
being  ready  to  move,  could  not  ascertain  your   position — so  took  posi- 
tion on  the  extreme  right  of  our  army,  supported  by  the  Crescent  re- 
;giment,  of  Col.  Pond's  brigade  in  our  rear,  and  an  Arkansas  regiment 
■  on  my  front,  and  I  think  the  21st  Tennessee  regiment  on  my  left  flank, 
:all  under  Gen.  Ilardee,  or,  in  fact,  he   seemed  to  be   the  master  spirit, 
giving  all  orders  and  seeing  that  they  were    properly  executed.     At 
: about  9  o'clock.  Gen.    Breckinridge's   command  on   our  extreme  front 
had  pushed  the  enemy  up  and  on  to  Avithin    several  hundred  yards  of 

•  our  front,  when  we  opened  fire  with  shell  and  shot  with  our  full  battery. 
-After  firing  some  70  rounds,  we  took  position  further   on,  just  on  the 

•  edge  of  the  open  space  ahead,  and  with  our  full   battery,  assisted  by 


1 


297 

two  pieces  of  McClung's  battery,  we  poured  some  60  rounds  into  the 
enemy,  who  continued  to  advance  upon  us  until  within  some  20  yards 
of  us,  -when  Col.  Marshall  J.  Smith,  of  the  Crescent  regiment,  gal- 
lantly came  to  our  rescue — cliarging  the  enemy  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  putting  them  to  flight  and  saving  our  three  extreme  right 
pieces,  which  would  have  been  captured,  but  for  them. 

It  was  at  this  point,  I  again  met  with  severe  losses.  Lieut.  Slocumb, 
Serg't  Green,  several  privates  and  many  horses  fell  at  this  point, 
either  killed  or  badly  wounded. 

After  the  enemy  had  retreated  well  in  the  woods,  I  had  my  guns 
limbered  and  taken  from  the  field.  My  men  broken  down,  my  horses 
nearly  all  slain,  ammunition  out,  and  sponges  all  broken  and  gone,  I 
was  in  the  Act  of  making  repairs  and  preparing  for  another  attack, 
when  I  was  ordered  by  General  Beauregard,  to  retire  in  order,  to  Mon- 
terey, which  I  did  that  evening, — and  afterwards  to  this  point,  arriving 
last  evening,  with  my  battery  all  complete  with  the  exception  of  three 
caissons,  a  battery  wagon  and  forgo,  which  I  had  to  abandon  on  the 
road  for  want  of  fresh  horses  to  draw  them  in. 

At  the  request  of  Gen.  Beauregard,  I  detailed  from  my  command 
twelve  m?n  under  a  non-commissioned  officer,  to  remain  and  act  with 
Capt.  Byrne's  (or  Burns'),  battery  on  a  prominent  hill  on  the  Pea 
Ridge  road,  overlooking  the  battle  field,  to  cover  the  retirement  of  our 
army.   They  all  came  in  to-day,  safe  and  sound. 

We  captured  two  stand  of  United  States  colors,  which  were  handed 
over  to  Gen.  Beauregard.  We  also  captured  several  U.  S.  horses  and 
mules,  some  of  which  we  have  now,  others  we  have  lost. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  again  calling  to  your  favorable 
notice  the  names  of  my  Lieutenants  Slocumb,  Vaughn  and  Chalaron, 
for  their  coolness  and  bravery  on  the  field,  was  daring  and  gallant,  and 
worthy  your  consideration. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Yours  very  truly, 
W.  IRVING  HODGSON,  Captain. 


SUPPLEMENTARY  REPORT  OF   CAPTAIN  HODGSON. 


Headquarters  5th  Company, 

Battalion  Washington  Artillery, 
Camp  Moore,  Corinth,  Miss.,  April  Wth,  1862. 

To  Captain  G,  W.  Bakth, 

Acting  Assistant  A'fjutant  General : 

Captain  :  I  herewith  tender  to  you  a  supplemental  report,  in  regard 
to  matters  connected  with  the  battle  of  the  6th  and  7th  instant.  My 
battery  fired,  during  said  actions,  from  the  six  guns,  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-three  rounds,  mostly  from  the  smooth  bore  guns  and 
howitzers,  a  large  proportion  of  which  was  canister.  Some  of  our 
ammunition  chests  being  repacked  from  a  captured  caisson,  and  other 
canister,  borrowed  from  Captain  Robertson's  battery,  which  he  kindly 
loaned. 

The  badly  torn  wheels  and  carriages  of  my  battery  from  minnie 
balls,  will  convince  any  one  of  the  close  proximity  to  the  eneuiy  in 
which  we  were.  1  had  (28)  twenty-eight  horses  slain  in  the  battery, 
exclusive  of  officers'  horses. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  applauding  to  you  the  gallant  actions  of  ser- 
geants Bartley,  Blair  and  Smith,  corporals  O'Brien,  Higgins,  Davidson, 
Biggs,  Spearing  and  Holmes,  also  of  privates  Boyden,  Duggan, 
Murphy,  Bayn«,  Lcckie,  Shotwell,  Jones,  Salter,  Mathis,  Scott, 
Fahnestock,  Levy,  Tomlin,  Johnson,  Tcixas,  Wing  and  Hartnctt,  all 
of  whom,  with  the  young  men  killed,  were  at  their  posts  during  the 
action,  and  behaved  most  gallantly.  Many  of  them  for  the  first  time 
under  fire,  conducted  themselves  as  veterans. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Yours  very  truly, 

W.  IRVING  HODGSON, 

Captain, 


CAPTAIN  HODGSON'S  REPORT  REFERRING  TO  REPORTS 
OF  TliE  9x11  AND  llxii   INSTAIST. 


Headquarters  5tii  Company, 

Battalion  Washington  Artillery, 
Camp  Moore,  Corinth,  Miss.,  April  I2th,  1862. 

To  Captain  Wm.  G.  Bartii, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Captain:  Referring  to  my  reports  of  the  battle  of  the  Cth  and  7th 
instant,  under  dates  of  the  9th  and  1 1th  instant.  I  have  had  conver- 
sations with  the  "  chiefs  of  sections"  of  my  battery  on  the  subject, 
and  ascertain  that  there  arc  so  many  of  the  "  rank  and  file''  that 
behaved  gallantly  on  those  occasions,  that  itywould  make  too  long  a 
list,  and  be  too  invidious  to  mention  names. 

You  will  therefore,  please  erase  those  portions  of  my  reports  which 
refer  to  that  subject,  beginning  with  A.  Gordon  Bakewell,  and  ending 
with  privates  Wing  and  Hartnett. 

By  80  doing,  you  will  much  oblige. 
Yours  very  truly, 

W.  IRVING  HODGSON, 

Captain. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  T.  TOND,  Jr.,  COMMANDING  THIRD 

BRIGADE. 


DE,  ) 


IIead(5uarters  3rd  Brigad 
1st  Division,  -A 

Captain  R.  Mason  IIooe  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  through  you,  to  Brigadier  General 
Ruggles,  commanding  1st  division,  2d  G.  I).  A.  M.,  the  following  re- 
ports cf  the  movements  of  the  third  brigade  of  his  division,  on  Sun- 
day and  Monday,  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  18G'2  : 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  at  daylight,  the  brigade  was  formed  in 
the  order  of  battle  with  columns  doubled  on  the  center  at  battalion 
distance,  the  right  resting  on  the  left  of  General  Anderson's  brigade, 
with  the  left  extended  towards  Owl  creek,  and  covering  the  left  of 
General  Hardee's  line,  about  five  hundred  yards  to  the  rear. 

At  about  eight  o'clock  an  order  was  received  from  General  Ruggles 
to  throw  one  regiment  with  one  section  of  guns  to  the  left  towards 
Owl  creek.  In  compliance  with  this  order.  Colonel  Looney's  regi- 
ment, 38th  Tennessee,  and  one  section  cf  Captain  Ketchum's  battery, 
were  thrown  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  left,  and  the  position 
assigned  to  them,  covered  on  the  front  and  flank  with  cavalry  skirm- 
ishers. These  dispositions  were  not  (|uite  completed,  when  an  order 
was  received  from  General  Ruggles  to  advance  the  whole  of  his  line. 
The  brigade  moved  forward,  in  double  columns,  over  very  difficult 
ground,  endeavoring  to  preserve  the  proper  interval  between  itself  and 
General  Anderson's  brigade,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  guard  the  flank 
of  the  line  on  Owl  creek.  After  advancing  some  six  hundred  yards 
the  brigade  was  halted  near  some  small  houses,  with  a  large  field  on 
the  left,  and,  also,  with  a  similar  field  in  front.  Enemy's  skirmishers 
being  seen  towards  Owl  creek,  Colonel  Looney's  regiment,  Avith  a  sec- 
tion of  Captain  Ketchum's  battery,  were  again  sent  to  the  left  to 
the  distance  of  three-quarters  of  a  mile  and  posted  to  command  the 
Owl  creek  road.  Information  being  received  from  Colonel  Looney 
that  the  enemy  were  ambushed  in  his  front,  the  Crescent  regiment, 
under  Colonel  M.  J.  Smith,  was  detached  to  report  to  Colonel  Looney, 
and  to  support  him.  Shortly  after,  an  order  came  from  General 
Ilardee  for  the  left  to  advance.  In  response  to  this  order,  the  16th, 
and  ISth  Louisiana  volunteers,  and  a  battalion,  Orleans  Guards, 
advanced  until  they  reached  the  line  occupied  by  the  second  brigade, 


301 

commanded  by  General  Anderson,  wliich  brigade  was  engaging  the 
enemy  in  one  of  his  camps,  and  which  he  was  stubbornly  contesting. 
This  camp  having  been  carried,  the  whole  line  advanced  through  a 
narrow  strip  of  woods  and  across  a  wide  field  until  we  reached  the 
main  and  last  camp  of  the  enemy,  which  was  not  occupied — this  camp 
having,  apparently,  been  abandoned  Avithout  a  contest,  as  there  were 
no  evidences  of  any  struggle  having  taken  place  there.  As  we  ap- 
proached this  camp,  a  few  of  the  enemy  were  seen  pn  our  left,  who 
fired  a  few  shots  at  us,  but  who  were  soon  dispersed  by  one  slio't  from 
Captain  Ketchum's  battery.  When  we  entered  the  edge  of  the  field  in 
which  this  main  camp  was  situated,  we  perceived  the  enemy  in  full 
retreat.  The  left  of  the  brigade  was  immediately  thrown  forward, 
and  the  whole  put  in  motion,  at  double  quick,  to  cut  him  ofi",  and  the 
movement  would,  without  doubt,  have  been  successful,  but  when 
nearly  across  the  field  a  dreadful  fire  was  received  from  our  own  forces 
on  the  right,  killing  and  wounding  several  of  the  18th  regiment 
Louisiana  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Monton.  Not 
knowing  at  first  from  whence  the  fire  was  directed,  and  fearing  that  I 
might  have  passed  some  of  the  enemy's  forces,  the  brigade  was  halted 
and  thrown  back  about  one  hundred  yards  to  the  edge  of  the  woods. 
When  our  troops  on  the  right  advanced  across  the  opening,  this  brigade 
advanced  on  the  same  line,  passed  through  the  main  camp,  and  through 
a  very  deep  ravine  beyond  it.  At  this  time  we  were  moving  a  little 
in  advance  of  the  front  line,  which  was  commanded  by  General  Har- 
dee. Upon  reaching  the  crest  of  the  hill  the  command  encountered  a 
heavy  fire  of  grape  at  a  distance  of  about  four  hundred  yards.  The 
brigude  was  thrown  back  under  the  cover  of  the  hill  and  Captain 
Ketchum's  battery  placed  in  position  on  the  hills  to  the  rear  to  silence 
the  enemy's  battery  and  disorganize  its  infantry  supports.  While 
waiting  for  Captain  Ketchum's  battery  to  get  into  position,  I  recon- 
noitcred  and  discovered  the  enemy  posted  in  considerable  numbers  in 
a  camp  some  two  or  three  hundred  yards  to  our  front  and  left,  and  in 
a  similar  camp  immediately  to  my  front  and  right,  from  which  the  fire 
of  the  battery  had  been  received  and  was  still  continued.  At  this  time, 
about  four  P.  M.,  Cglonel  Ferguson  brought  peremptory  orders  to  me  to 
charge  the  battery  with  my  brigade.  Colonel  Ferguson  was  informed 
that  there  was  a  battery  immediately  in  front,  and  sai<l  he  would  in- 
form General  Ilardee,  and  report  to  me.  Immediately  after  Colonel 
Ferguson  left  me  the  Washington  Artillery  was  placed  in  battery  to 
the  right  of  the  enemy's  main  camp,  and  made  an  effort  to  silence  the 
enemy's  battery  in  my  front,  but  failed  to  do  so.  By  orders,  said  by 
Colonel  Ferguson  to  be  the  orders  of  General  Ilardee,  my  brigade  was 
filed  left  in  front  up  a  deep  ravine  in  a  direction  flanking  the  cnemy'a 
battery,  and,  while  the  head  of  column  was  some  three  hun»Jred  yards 
in  front  of  the  battery,  by  the  direction  of  Colonel  Fergusou,  speaking 
as  for  General  Hardee,  I  ordered  the  charge.  This  brought  ray  troops 
under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  battery  and  three  of  his  regiments  in  an 
oblique  column,  instead  of  line  of  battle,  and  the  fire  became  so  de- 
structive that  the  troops  recoiled  under  it. 

The  13th  Louisiana  regiment  suffered  severely  in  this  charge,  also 


302 

the  Orleans  Guards  ;  the  IGth  Louisiana,  less  than  either,  bein^:  on 
the  ri^ht,  and,  consequently,  in  what  miglit  be  called  the  rear  of  the 
column.  As  my  troops  were  advancing  to  this  charge,  v,e  again  re- 
ceived a  severe  fire  from  our  own  troops  on  the  right,  which,  added  to 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  almost  disorganized  the  command.  In  order  to 
reform  we  were  compelled  to  fall  back  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  to  the  enemy's  main  camp,  where  we  were  rejoined  hy  Colonel 
Looney  with  his  regiment,  he  having  received  orders  to  leave  his  posi- 
tion, on  Owl  creek  road,  and  unite  with  the  brigade. 

The  camp  on  my  right  was  subsequently  abandoned  by  the  enemy  and 
occujiicd  by  our  troops — the  enemy  withdrawing  his  battery.  I  heard 
sharp  firing  from  my  right  on  that  camp  in  which  the  38th  Tennessee 
was  engaged  before  it  united  with  the  brigade.  The  camp  to  my  left 
continued  to  be  occupied  in  considerable  force,  and  as  the  duty  of 
guarding  the  left  was  placed  in  my  hands,  and  being  separated  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  forces  immediately  on  my  right,  I  felt 
that  any  rash  or  inconsiderate  advance  or  engagement  of  our  troops 
miglit  result  in  the  exposure  of  my  left  and  rear,  and,  therefore,  mado 
no  attack  on  it.  The  charge  made  on  the  enemy's  battery,  by  which 
the  18th  regiment  suifered  so  severely,  was  not  in  accordance  with  my 
judgment.  I  did  it  reluctantly,  and  in  obedience  to  peremptory  orders. 
If  left  to  myself,  I  had  the  means  of  taking  it,  and  would  have  taken 
it  in  twenty  minutes  after  my  battery  had  been  brought  into  action. 
There  was  a  wide  gap  between  my  left  and  .Owl  creek.  I  was  alone 
with  my  brigade,  without  anything  to  support  my  own  rear  on  the  left 
of  the  general  line,  and,  therefore,  felt  it  my  duty  to  take  every  step 
with  extreme  caution,  and  to  keep  my  force  in  hand  to  hold  Owl  creek 
against  any  ami  every  contingency.  In  this  I  was  acting  in  strict 
accordance  with  the  plan  of  battle  communicated  to  me  by  General 
Bragg,  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  irtstant,  and,  to  this  plan,  I  rigidly 
adhered,  no  advice  having  reached  me  of  change  of  plan.  At  night, 
after  the  battle  ceased,  acting  in  ol)edience  to  orders  received  through 
the  day  from  a  great  variety  of  sources,  I  formed  my  infantry  line 
considerably  in  advance  of  our  general  front.  I  immediately  fell  back 
to  this  line,  resting  my  right  on  the  main  camj*  of  the  enemy,  and 
extending  my  left  to  Owl  creek,  establishing  police  guards  round  each 
regiment,  with  picket  in  rear  and  front,  and  to  tlie  Icfc  across  Owl  creek. 
My  ranks  Avere  then  opened,  and  the  men  caused  to  lie  down  on  their 
arms.  There  was  some  picket  firing  during  the  night,  but  nothing 
important  developed  itself.  I  would  mention  that  on  Sunday  evening, 
just  after  the  firing  ceased,  I  heard  cheering  on  the  river  below  me, 
evidently  proceeding  from  a  large  force,  to  which  my  men  responded, 
thinking  it  to  ])c  from  their  friends,  and,  when  the  cheering  ceased,  a 
band  played  tlic  air  of  "  Hail  Columbia,"  from  a  boat  which  was 
ascending  the  river. 

My  bivouac  on  Sunday  night  was  within  a  mile  of  the  river,  and 
within  four  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  lines.  During  the  night 
our  main  line  was  thrown  back  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  without 
the  movement  having  been  communicated  to  me.  On  Monday  morn- 
ing, at  daylight,  a  sharp  skirmish   took  place  between  pickets,,  and 


303 

was  immediately  followed  by  a  sharp  cnga,f;ement  between  my  lines 
and  those  of  tho  enemy.  A  battery  was  also  opened  against  my  right 
at  a  range  of  about  four  hundred  yards.  At  this  time  I  discovered 
that  our  main  line  had  fallen  back,  and  that  my  brigade  was  alone  in 
the  presence  of  the  enemy,  who  was  in  strong  force.  I  regarded  the 
position  as  perilous,  and  should,  no  doubt,  have  been  cut  off  or  cut  to 
pieces,  but  for  the  cool,  intrepi'l  and  gallant  conduct  of  Captain 
Ketchum,  who  brought  his  battery  into  position  on  my  right,  and 
maintained  a  spirited  and  effective  fire  against  the  enemy  within  in- 
fantry range,  while  my  regiments  were  withdrawn  under  the  lead  of 
their  respeoiive  commanders.  I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  cool- 
ness and  intrepidity  of  Colonel  Monton,  Major  Gober,  Colonel  Looncy 
and  Captain  Morton,  manifested  by  the  orderly  manner  in  which  they 
withdrew  their  respective  commands  over  the  most  difficult  ground, 
and  united  themselves,  without  disaster,  with  the  main  line.  The  in- 
fantry movement  left  Captain  Ketchum's  battery  exposed,  but,  as  the 
whole  was  in  great  peril,  I  thought  it  better  to  sacrifice  the  pieces 
than  the  regiments,  if  anything  had  to  be  lost.  Captain  Ketchum, 
however,  withdrew,  covered  by  the  regiment  of  Texas  Rchngers,  ex- 
hibiting throughout  the  whole,  a  degree  of  skill  and  courage,  which 
mark  him  as  an  artillery  officer  of  the  highest  merit.  In  fact,  the 
safety  of  my  command  is  due  to  him.  Upon  reaching  the  main  line, 
the  left  of  which  was  at  the  enemy's  first  camp  on  the  Savannah  road, 
I  was  ordered  by  General  Ruggles  to  form  on  the  extreme  left,  and 
rest  my  left  on  Owl  creek.  While  proceeding  to  execute  this  order,  I 
was  ordered  to  move  by  the  rear  of  the  main  lino  to  support  the  ex- 
treme right  of  General  Hardee's  line.  I  was  again  ordered  by  Gen'I 
Beauregard  to  advance  and  occupy  the  crest  of  a  ridge  in  the  edge  of 
an  old  field.  My  line  was  just  formed  in  this  position,  when  General 
Polk  ordered  me  forward  to  support  his  line.  While  moving  to  the 
support  of  General  Polk,  an  or(ler  reached  me  from  General  Beaure- 
gard to  report  to  him,  with  my  command,  at  his  headquarters.  This 
wa-j  on  the  extreme  left,  where  my  brigade  became  engaged  in  the  fight 
which  continued  until  the  contest  between  the  armies  finally  ceased. 
As  General  Ruggles  was  present  at* this  point,  no  report  of  particu- 
lars is  necessary. 

My  command  was  kept  once  in  hand  through  the  occurrences  of  both 
days,  and  brought  off  the  field  in  as  good  order  as  it  entered  it  under 
my  immediate  command.      Colonel  Monton  was  wounded  in  the  fight 

at  the  Church,  and  Major  was  wounded   in  the  knee,  in  the 

charge  on  the  enemy's  battery. 

The  Crescent  regiment  was  not  seen  by  me  during  the  engagement, 
but  I  received  information,  from  various  sources,  that  it  was  in  the 
fight  on  the  right,  and  served  with  marked  gallantry  and  effect. 

Very  respectfully, 

r.  rOND,  Jr., 
Coloned  commanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  of  Casualties  in  Third  Brigade,  First  Division. 


Regiments. 


IGth  Louisiana  Volunteers, 

38th  Tennessee 

Orleans  Guards   ........ 

Ketchum's  Battery 

18th  Kegiment  1  ouisiana. 
Crescent 


11 

CO   f£ 

O    O 

2  ^ 

1^ 

O 

14 

7 
17 

1 
13 
23 

13 
17 

31 

26 
55 
13 

80 

84 

5 

27 
15 

18 

118 
20 

90 
65 
90 
14 
211 
127 

597 

Remarks. 


See  report. 


Sick  23. 


This  is  only  a  rough  report, 
cordance  with  general  orders, 
sionally  coming  in. 


I  will  cause  others  to  be  made  in  ac- 
Those  reported  as  missing  are  occa- 

P.  POND,  Jr., 

Colonel  coinmanding  ord  Brigade. 


I  must  call  attention  to  the  case  of  that  gallant  officer  and  soldier. 
Captain  Walter  Crain,  whose  batter}?-  has  been  taken  from  him.  I 
saw  him  fighting  gallantly  in  the  I'anks  with  his  rifle,  and,  in  the  en- 
gagement cf  Monday  he  received  a  severe  wound.  If  gallantry  would 
entitle  an  officer  to  his  command,  none  deserve  it  more  than  Captain 
Crain. 


•    RErORT  OF  COLONEL  ALFRED  MONTON. 


Camp  near  Corinth 
April  12th  1862 


62.  I 


To  Lieutenant  0.  0.  Cobb, 

J.  A.  A.  G.,  a  S.  Forces  : 


Sir:  Herewitli  I  respectfully  submit  a  report  of  the  part  taken  by 
the  18th  Louisiana  volunteers,  in  the  engagements  of  the  Cth  and  7tb 
instant. 

Leaving  this  camp  at  about  3  P.  M.,  on  the  3d,  I  reached  the  line 
of  battle  on  the  5th,  at  about  5  P.  M.  Early  on  the  6th,  I  Avas  ordered 
to  take  position,  facing  the  enemy  in  an  eligible  location,  and  await 
the  arrival  of  the  balance  of  the  brigade.  I  advanced  opposite  to  the 
enemy's  camp  and  halted  in  a  field  about  400  yards  distant  therefrom. 
My  skirmishers  ascended  the  slope  of  the  hill,  and  exchanged  shot? 
with  the  enemy  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  when  the  latter  withdrew.  I 
then  pushed  forward  and  perceived  about  500  of  the  enemy  in  retreat. 
Anxious  to  intercept  them,  I  rushed  on  at  double-quick,  but  unfor- 
tunately, our  troops  on  the  right,  mistook  us  for  the  enemy,  owing,  I 
presume,  to  the  blue  uniform  of  a  large  number  of  my  men,  aad 
opened  on  us  with  cannon  and  musket.  This  impeded  my  progress - 
and  brought  me  to  a  halt,  until  a  staff  officer  signalled  to  our  troops  to 
cease  firing.  On  the  cessation  of  the  firing,  I  moved  on  to  the  camp  and. 
captured  25^  prisoners,  who  were  placed  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  W. 
Prcscott,  company  K,  who  transferred  them  to  Colonel  Eli  S.  Shorter, 
18th  Alabama,  on  receipt.  ]>ut  for  this  unfortunate  occurrence,  the 
probability  is,  I  would  have  captured  the  whole  number  of  the  enemy 
that  was  fleeing.  Here  one  man  was  killed,  and  Captain  Huntington, 
company  H,  and  three  privates,  were  wounded  by  the  fire  of  our 
friends.  Thence  we  moved  onward  to  a  deep  ravine  under  cover  from 
the  enemy's  shells.  Notwithstanding  company  F  had  one  private  killed: 
and  another  wounded. 

Thence  at  about  4   P.  M.,  I   moved  by  the   left  flank   through   the- 
continuation  of  the  same  ravine   with  a  view   of  charging  the  battery 
which  had  been  continuously  firing  on  us.     Before  reaching  a  proper 
position,  and  while  directly   in  front  of  the  battery,  distant   from  it 
about   six   or   seven    hundred   yards,  I   received  peremptory  orders  tO' 
move  up  the  hill  and  charge   the  battery.     The  order  was  instantly 
obeyed.  About  four  hundred  yards  from  the  battery,  my  line  became  en 
20 


306 

tirelv  uncovered,  and  thence  raj  regiment  rushed  forward  alone  at 
double-quick,  toward  the  battery,  being  all  the  time  exposed  to  an  in- 
cessant fire,  both  from  the  battery  and  its  supports.  At  about  sixty 
or  seventy  yards  from  the  battery,  "Nvhich  then  commenced  moving 
from  its  position  and  began  to  retreat,  tlic  enemy  had  opposed  to  my 
reginient,  then  numbering  about  five  hundred,  three  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, two  of  which  kept  up  an  incessant  cross  fire  on  my  troops,  and 
the  third,  as  soon  as  unmasked  by  the  battery,  also  opened  upon  us. 
Thus  exposed,  my  men  falling  at  every  step,  being  unsupported,  and 
unable  to  accomplish  the  capture  of  the  battery,  or  the  repulse  of  the 
enemy,  I  was  compelled  to  retire,  leaving  my  dead  and  wounded  on 
the  field.  Here  two  hundred  and  seven  officers  and  men,  fell  either 
dead  or  ■wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Roman  and  I,  had  our 
horses  shot  under  under  us.  I  must  add,  that  in  my  opinion,  the 
■order  to  charge  the  battery  was  prematurely  given;  that  is,  before 
our  troops  had  taken  proper  position  to  act  effectually  and  support 
one  another,  otherwise,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  the  battery  would 
have  been  captured. 

After  rallying  .the  regiment,  I  moved  off  to  the  left  and  took  posi- 
tion opposite  the  enemy's  lines,  distant  about  three  hundred  yards, 
which  were  covered  by  infantry  and  artillery.  Throwing  out  pickets 
to  protect  my  line,  I  bivouacked  for  the  night.  By  this  time,  my 
men  were  completely  exhausted,  as  they  had  neither  slept  nor  eaten 
since  the  evening  of  the  4th  and  had  been  continually  "on  the  march. 
On  the  night  of  the  6th,  it  rained  almost  constantly  and  being  wirhout 
cover,  by  the  morning  of  the  7th,  they  weie  thoroughly  drenched  and 
worn  out  from  lack  of  food  and  rest.  At  about  6  1-2  on  the  7th,  the 
enemy  in  large  force,  opened  on  us  with  cannon  and  musket.  My 
troops  being  in  full  view  from  the  battery,  I  fell  back  und:'r.  cover 
from  their  shells.  While  in  this  position,  orders  were  received  at 
aoout  8  A.  M.,  to  move  to  the  right  of  the  line.  From  this  hour, 
until  about  1  1-2  P.  IM.,  we  were  constantly  marching  and  countcr- 
raarcliing, — the  "  Orleans  Guards"  in  the  mean  time,  having  been  at- 
tached to  my  command.  About  2  P.  M.,  we  were  ordered  to  move  on 
the  enemy,  which  was  done  without  energy  or  life,  by  the  troops,  twice 
in  succession,  notwithstanding  the  noble  and  daiing  efforts  of  Generals 
Beauregard  and  Bragg,  to  lead  them  on  in  the  face  of  the  enemy. 
The  fact  is,  the  men  were-  completely  exhausted  from  inanition  and 
physical  fatigue;  many  dropping  in  the  attempt  to  move  onward. 
Here  I  was  wounded  in  the  face,  and  three  privates  remained  on  the 
field,  either  killed  or  Avoundcd.  I  was  then  compelled  by  reason  of 
my  wound  to  abandon  the  field. 

Thence  by  order,  my  troops  fell  back  about  3  1-2  P.  M.,  to  a  line  a 
little  beyond  Shiloh  Church,  and  about  4  1-2  P.  M.,  they  moved  by 
the  left  flank  to  the  rear,  and  reached  Corinth  on  the  8th,  at  about  3 
P.  M.,  as  I  have  been  informed  by  the  Lieutenaat  Colonel  then  in 
command. 

A  complete  field  return  has  already  been  forwarded,  and  I  beg  leave 
to  call  attention  to  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded  officers.  Allow 
me  to  add  further,  that  my  report  of  this  morning,  exhibits  only  ten 


307 

officers  for  duty,  viz:  One  Captain,  four  First  Lieutenants  and  fiv« 
Second  Lieutenants, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ALFRED  MONTON, 
Colonel  \8th  Regiment  Louis'.ana  Volunteers, 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  E.  S.  SHORTER. 


HEADQUARTERS,   CaMP  OF  THt:  3rd  BrIGADE,  \ 

Withers'  Division,  2nd  Corps,  A.  M.,  > 

Near  Corinth,  April  dih,  1862.       ) 

Captain  J.  B.  Clmming, 

Assistarit  Adjutant  General : 

Sir  :  Enclosed,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  a  report  of  the 
casualties  that  occurred  to  my  regira3nt,  in  the  great  historic  battle  at 
Shiloh  Church,  on  Sunday,  the  6th  instant.  The  number  of  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates  actually  engaged  in  the  first  battle, 
was  only  four  hundred  and  thirteen.  During  this  long  continued 
fight  of  about  one  hour  and  upwards,  my  men  nearly  exhausted  the 
fifty  rounds  of  cartridges  that  had  previously  been  distributed  to 
them.  A  considerable  number  of  the  men  had  none  whatever  left. 
By  order  of  General  Jackson,  after  the  enemy  had  been  routed,  and 
we  were  advancing,  I  sent  back  to  the  ammunition  train  and  procured 
•A.  new  supply.  The  regiment  was  actively  engaged  in  all  the  battles 
during  that  day  in  which  the  brigade  participated.  Our  loss  was  very 
heavy,  to-wit :  twenty  killed,  eighty  wounded,  and  twenty  missing. 
Most  of  those  classed  among  the  missing,  doubtless  were  taken 
prisoners  by  the  enemy,  as  they  were  with  Dr.  Barnett,  our  surgeon, 
who  was  captured  on  Monday,  while  attending  to  the  wounded.  It  is 
reported  to  me  on  good  autliority,  that  the  enemy  fired  on  Dr.  Barnett 
and  his  party,  while  under  the  yellow  fjag,  and  when  the  surgeon  was 
actually  engaged  in  dressing  the  wounds  of  one  of  the  enemy. 

The  officers  (with  but  one  exception,)  and  the  men  of  the  regiment, 
conducted  themselves  throughout  the  several  engagements  with  much 
gallantry  and  spirit.  Lieutenant  Rogers,  who  was  in  command  of 
company  B,  abandoned  his  company  twice  and  wholly  disappeared 
from  the  field.  He  is  here  now  in  arrest,  and  proper  charges  will  be  filed 
against  him.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Holtzclaw  was  dangerously  wounded 
in  the  first  engagement,  while  he  was  gallantly  discharging  his  duty. 
Respectfullv,  (fee, 

ELI  S.  SHORTER, 
Colonel  ISth  Alabama  Regiment. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  R.   F.  LOONEY 


Regimental  Headquarters,  3Stii  Tenn.  Rec.i.aiknt,  ) 

Camp  near  Corinth,  Mis.-^..       ' 

April  2Gtb,  1862.  ) 

To  Brigadier  General  Ruggles, 

Commanding  Division  : 

General  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  service  rendered  by  the 
3Sth  Tennessee  regiment,  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  6th  and  7th 
of  April. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  Cth.wc  were  ordered  to  move  rapidly  to  the 
left  as  far  as  Owl  creek,  which  position  was  promptly  taken  by  the  Cres- 
cent and  38th  Tennessee  regiments  and  Capt.  Kctchum's  battery.  This 
position  was  held  until  about  11  o'clock,  A,  M.,  when  we  were  ordered 
to  move  to  the  right.  Lender  this  order,  at  a  double  quick,  1  moved 
my  command  in  the  neighborhood  of  and  to  the  right  of  Shiloh  church, 
and  in  front  of  a  battery  which  was  playing  upon  us.  AVe  advanced 
as  Ave  received  orders,  firing  upon  the  enemy  as  we  advanced. 
Shortly  we  approached  a  camp  of  the  enemy,  only  an  open 
field  intervening.  To  the  right  and  in  advance  of  the  camp, 
we  discovered  the  enemy  in  considerable  force.  We  poured 
upon  him  a  destructive  fire,  which  caused  him  soon  to  begin  to  retire. 
Near  the  camp  was  a  Ijattery,  all  the  Avliilc  playing  upon  our  forces. 
I  received  aix  order  to  charge  the  battery  and  camp  under  cover  of  the 
Avoods  to  the  right,  from  Major  General  Polk,  through  his  son.  Captain 
Polk.  I  quickly  examined  the  route  as  ordered,  and  saw  the  camp 
and  battery  could  be  reached  and  the  order  carried  out  in  effect  with 
but  little  more  risk  by  moving  rapidly  through  the  open  field.  I  or- 
dered the  charge,  which  was  promptly  and  succes-sfuUy  executed,  as  to 
the  camp  and  Ijattery,  and  I  suppose  at  least  one  thousand  prisoners. 
After  I  reached  the  camp,  some  oftvalr^  and  Colonel  Cummin's  Ten- 
nessee regiment  came  up.  We  were  soon  moved  farther  to  the  left. 
Night  approachcil,  and  we  lay  down  without  fire  and  in  the  rain,  about 
six  hundred  yards  from  the  camp  of  the  77th  Illinois,  I  think.  On 
the  morning  of  the  7th,  at  dayligiit.  the  3d  brigade,  of  your  divisi(^n, 
was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  Almost  instantly  we  were  fired  upon 
by  a  battery  brought  up  in  the  night,  within  a  very  short  distance, 
and  supported  by/a  large  force.     I  immediately  ordered  my  regiment 


310 

to  fire,  and  three  rounds  were  delivered  at  the  enemy,  with  what  effect 

I  am  unable  to  say. 

About  this  time  our  own  battery  in  o.;r  rear  opened,  leaving  us  ex- 
posed to  the  shells  of  friend  and  foe,  which  caused  us  to  take  position 
to  the  rear  of  our  guns.  We  were  moved  quickly  from  one  point  to 
another,  to  the  support    of    brigade  commanders  unknown,  until  about 

I I  o'clock,  A.  M. 

A  short  time  after  this,  we  were  ordered  to  Shiloh  church,  in  the 
direction  of  Pittsburg  and  near  a  camp  occupied  by  the  enemy.  After 
having  been  lield  by  General  Beauregard  tor^about  fifteen  minutes.  I  re- 
oaived  an  order  from  him  through  Gov.  Harris,  of  Tennessee,  to  charge 
the  camp  and  the  enemy.  My  regiment  was  in  the  center.  There 
were,  I  suppose,  two  regiments  on  my  right  and  three  on  tha  left. 
We  drove  the  enemy  far  bej'^ond  his  camp,  my  regiment  being  far  in 
advance  of  any  other  troops,  when  we  were  ordered  to  retire. 
•  Three  times  did  they  charge  the  enemy  and  drive  him  from  his  po- 
sition at  every  point.  I  delivered  the  last  volley  at  the  enemy  on  Mon- 
day, and  when  we  were  withdrawn  from  this  part  of  the  field,  I  found 
the  army  drawn  up  .in  beautiful  order  to  retire. 

For  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  of  my  regiment,  I 
refer  to  a  report  heretofore  furnished. 

I  deem  it  but  just  and  proper  that  I  should  make  mention  of  the 
gallant  bearing  of  the  officers  and  men  of  my  command. 

Captain  Jolui  C.  Carter  deserves  the  highest  praise  for  his  ^reat 
coolness  and  high  courage  displayed  throughout  the  entire  engage- 
ment. At  one  time  he  took  the  Hag,  and  urging  his  men  forward, 
rendered  me  great  assistance  in  moving  forward  the  entire  regiinent. 
Captains  Cotler,  Hardy,  Umphleet,  Thrasher  and  Mayfield,  for  their 
gallant  bearing,  are  entitled  to  great  credit.  They  discharged  their 
whole  duty. 

Captain  Abiagtoh  was  with  his  company  throughout  the  first  day  of 
the  battle,  and  conducted  himsalf  handsomely,  but  he'ing  in  delicate 
health,  was  not  able  to  be  with  his  company  oa  the  7th. 

Lieutenants  Koen,  J^Iarch,  Green,  Hutchinson,  Pugh,  Chilcut, 
Ketchum,  Loving,  Jones,  Wait  and  Briggs  were  at  all  times  at  their 
posts,  and  their  gallantry  was  worthy  of  iha  cause  for  which  they 
struirgled. 

With  but  few  exceptions,  the  men  did  their  duty  and  fought 
bravely. 

To  Adjutant  Sanford  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  assistance  rendered 
me  throughout  the  entire  engagement,  and  for  his  gallant  bearing  and 
high  courage,  too  many  praises  ciinnot  be  given. 

Lieutenant  Haller,  though  feeble  from  ill  health,  was  with  his  com- 
pany and  at  his  post  all  the  while,  and  on  Mond;iy,  in  the  absence  of 
hi-j  Captain,  gallantly  led  his  men  through  the  fight. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

R.  F.  LOONEY, 
Colonsl  38th  Tennessee  lisgiment. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  DANIEL  GOBER,  COMMANDING  IGth 
REGIMENT  LOUISIANA  VOLUNTEERS. 


Headquarters  16th  Louisiana  Regiment, 

Camp  near  Corinth,  Miss., 

April  2G,   1862, 

To  Brigadier  General  Ruggles, 

Commanding  Division  : 

General:  Irespectfulh'-  submit  the  following  report  of  the  operations 
of  the  IGth  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  in  the  action  at  Shiloh,  on 
the  6th  and  Tth  inst.,  the  command  of  which  regiment  had  devolved  upon 
me,  in  consequence  of  the  absence  on  duty,  of  Lieut,  Col,  Mason,  and 
the  assignment  to  Col.  Preston  Pond,  Jr.,  of  the  command  of  the  3rd 
brigade,  Gen.  Ruggles'  division. 

The  extraordinary  degree  of  sickness  prevalent  in  camp,  and  the 
absence  of  company  B,  left  for  guard  duty  at  Corinth,  had  diminished 
the  effective  force  of  the  regiment,  upon  entering  the  engagement  to 
330  rank  and  file, 

The  participation  of  the  regiment  in  the  action  of  Sunday  the  6th, 
through  it  was  frequently  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy  during  the 
morning,  and  was  subjected  to  occasional  losses  in  consequence  of  its 
exposure,  was  not  perhaps  sufficiently  important  to  justify  a  special 
notice  of  its  movements,  until  in  the  afternoon,  when  a  portion  of  the 
brigade,  including  the  16th  regiment,  was  ordered  to  charge  one  or 
more  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  the  position  and  strength  of  which  were 
evidently  unknown  or  gravely  misapprehended.  The  accomplishment 
of  this  order,  proved  to  be  impracticable,  and  the  effort  to  execute  it, 
resulted  in  our  repulse,  with  considerable  loss  of  killed  and  wounded. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  battle  was  renewed  by  the 
opening  of  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries  upon  us  from  a  concealed 
point  in  the  woods  near  the  grounds  iii>f>ii  which  the  regiment  had 
bivouacked  during  the  previous  night. 

Having  retired  to  a  more  favorable  position,  where  line  of  battle 
was  formed,  the  regiment,  in  conjunction  with  the  balance  of  the 
brigade,  was  immediately  moved  forward  to  meet  the  advancing  col- 
umns of  the  enemy.  Becoming  thus  engaged,  at  an  eirly  hour  in 
the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  regiment. continued  in  action  and  efficient 


312 


service  until  the  cessation  of  hostilities  in  the  afternoon — the  locality 
of  its  operations  varying  but  little  during  the  day. 

The  withdrawal  of  our  forces  having  been  ordered  at  4  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  the  regiment  in  exhausted  and  reduced  condition,  re- 
joined the  brigade  from  which  it  had  been  temporarily  separated,  and 
fell  back  in  the  direction  of  Monterey. 

For  the  casualties  of  the  regiment,  reference  is  made  to  the  report 
of  the  killed,  wounded  qnd  missing,  rendered  in  conformity  with 
order  No.  — 

DANIEL  GOBER, 
Major  commanding  \Qth  La.  Volunteers. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  W.  11.  KETCllUM. 


Corinth,  Mississippi, 

April  15th,  1863. 

Colonel  :  On  Friday,  4th  instant,  we  took  up  our  line  of  march 
from  Monterey,  proceeding  on  the  Savannah  road,  joining  our  brigade, 
(Colonel  Pond's.)  from  whom  we  had  been  detached  for  several  days. 
Nothing  of  interest  occuring  this  day,  we  encamped  about  5  miles 
out.  The  next  morning,  taking  our  regular  position  in  line,  we 
advanced  until  about  o  P.  M.,  forming  in  line  of  battle  on  the  extreme 
left,  my  battery  masked  by  Captain  Jenkins'  and  Captain  Robins' 
cavalry  companies.  There  having  been  some  skirmishing  in  advance 
and  on  our  right  this  day,  and  the  enemy's  camps  not  being  more  than 
a  mile  in  our  front,  distinctly  hearing  the  tattoo  from  their  different 
camps,  I  deemed  it  prudent  to  keep  my  horses  in  harness  all  night. 
At  6  o'clock  the  next  morning,  (Sunday  6th,)  the  battle  commenced, 
and  we  marched  steadily  to  the  front  in  line  of  battle,  holding  difterent 
positions  as  ordered,  when  an  order  reached  me  to  place  my  battery 
in  position,  commanding  the  approach  from  Owl  creek,  where  it  was 
thought  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  get  through  on  our  tlank.  In 
this  position  I  was  supported  by  the  3Sth  Tennessee  and  Crescent  regi- 
ments. After  remaining  here  in  position  for  some  little  time,  two 
sections  of  my  battery  were  ordered  to  join  Colonel  Pond  immediately, 
who  was  in  advance  and  on  the  right.  I  took  charge  of  this  battery 
of  four  pieces,  leaving  the  3rd  section,  2  pieces,  with  l^ieutcnant  Bond. 
On  arriving  where  Colonel  Pond  was,  witli  the  balance  of  liis  brigade, 
we  commenced  an  advance  movement  again  through  woods,  swamps 
and  old  fields,  without  any  regard  to  roads. 

The  fighting  from  6  A.^M.,  up  to  this  time  had  been  very  severe  on 
our  right.  And  until  now  in  an  open  field  we  had  not  experienced 
the  whistling  of  the  enemy's  balls.  And  finding  the  enemy  firing  at  us 
from  a  log  house  with  a  camp  in  rear,  wc  fired  our  first  round,  which  was 
■  a  shell  from  a  howitzer,  at  the  house,  throwing  it  immediately  in  the 
house.  This  was  about  10  A  M.  .  The  enemy  leaving,  we  continued 
advancing  through  their  deserted  cnmps  until  arriving  ata  camp  where 
they  were  drawn  up  in  line  of  ba'.tle,  Colonel  Pond  ordered  me  to 
advance  and  shell  them  out.  Moving  up  my  four  pieces,  I  opened  on 
them  with  spherical  c;ise  and  shell,  gradually  advancing  on  the  camp 
by  half  battery.     In  a  short  time  the  en^my  left  their  camp  in  double- 


514  • 

quick  for  the  woods  on  their  right.  At  this  moment,  an  aid  from 
General  Hardee  rode  up,  ordering  me  with  my  battery  to  the  left, 
where  he  reported  the  enemy  in  force.  On  arriving  at  an  eminence 
on  the  road  commanding  a  camp  on  the  right  of  the  one  we  hail  just 
shelled,  we  found  the  enemy  in  lajge  force,  and  the  woods  in.the  gorge 
below,  between  my  battery  and  tne  camp,  filled  Avith  sharpshooters. 
Some  Texas  rangers  who  directed  me,  lost  four  or  five  of  their  men 
from  these  sharpshooters,  while  pointing  out  the  enemy's  position.  I 
opened  fire  on  the  camp,  advising  the  rangers  to  dismount  and  enter 
the  woods  as  skirmishers,  which  they  nobly  did,  while  we  effectually 
shelled  the  camp.  I  think  this  was  Colonel  Wharton's  regiment. 
They  supported  us  gallantly  in  all  our  engagements  with  the  enemy 
the  balance  of  the  day.  Colonel  Pond's  fine  brigade  Avas  badly  cut 
up  in  a  charge  on  a  battery  in  one  of  these  camps,  which  I  have 
always  thought  might  have  been  avoided,  had  my  battery  not  been 
withdrawn  from  the  adrance  I  was  making  on  this  camp.  This  same 
evening  we  engaged  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  silenced  them 
after  about  one  and  a  half  hours  firing.  Night  coming  on,  we  placed 
our  pieces  in  battery  on  their  parade  ground,  adjoining  a  house  on  the 
right  of  their  camp,  where  a  number  of  our  dead  and  wounded  lay. 
This  was  at  the  instance  of  Colonel  Ferguson,  of  General  Beauregard's 
staff.  On  our  left  in  the  w^oods,  was  our  infantry  support,  Colonel 
Pond's  command.  A  continual  firing  from  the  gun-boats  was  kept  up 
all  night.  Daylight  in  the  morning  found  our  teams  hitched  up,  our 
men  chilled  through  by  the  cold  rain,  sleeping  without  tents  or  much 
covering,  still  most  manfully  and  cheerfully  did  they  man  their  pieces 
to  reply,  to  a  battery  which  opened  on  us.  In  this  position  we  fought 
them  a  half  hour,  and  finding  they  had  our  range,  and  our  situation 
being  too  much  exposed,  losing  some  of  our  horses,  I  .retired  about 
one  hundred  yard,%  to  a  position  which  I  desired  the  evening  previous. 
Here  we  opened  our  pieces  upon  tliem  rapidly,  and  having  good  com- 
mand of  their  battery,  succeeded  in  silencing  them  in  a  little  more 
than  a  half  hour's  firing,  and  then  opened  on  a  body  of  infantry  whict 
appeared  near  the  position  occupied  by  Colonel  Pond  j;he  cvcnin'j 
previous.  During  this  engagement,  Colonel  Wharton's  rangej 
remained  on  our  right  in  line  of  battle,  witnessing  the  duello, 
ready  to  charge  any  effort  of  the  enemy  to  take  ray  battery.  At  tf 
time  an  order  came  from  Colonel  Pond  for  me  to  fall  hack  immediately 
life  being  some  distance  in,our  rear.  Limbering  up  we  retired,  comii 
again  into  battery  wherever  we  could  be  of  service,  engaging  batteri 
and  bodies  of  infantry  at  different  points.  And  while  engaged  with  a 
battery,  we  found  Lieutenant  Bond  with  his  section  doing  good  execu- 
tion a  short  distance  to  our  right.  We  now  came  under  General 
Bragg's  immediate  orders,  and  our  infantry  were  being  hard  pressed 
by  the  enemy.  Advancing  the  battery  in  a  gallop  on  a  road  brin,i?-ing 
us  on  the  enemy's  left,  we  came  into  battery,  discharging  canister  from 
our  six  pieces  at  a  distance  of  forty  or  fifty  yards,  checking  his  advance 
and  driving  them  back  in  the  thicket,  our  troops  rallying  again.  We 
remained  in  this  position,  using  canister  freely  until  recalled  by  General 
Bragg  to  some  other  position,     AVe  were  joined  here  by  an  officer  with 


315 

one  piece  and  three  or  four  cannoniers,  who  asked  permission  to  join 
my  battery,  so  that  we  had  seven  pieces  in  position.  In  this  fight  wo 
lost  one  man  and  several  wounded.  One  of  our  pieces  got  disabled 
here.  The  splinter  bar  broken,  and  tlie  piece  up  to  the  hubs  in  mud, 
it  was  impossible  to  get  it  out.  The  firing  irom  this  time  up  fo  the 
close  of  the  fight  was  unusually  severe  from  musketry  and  also  flrtillery, 
in  which  we  were  constantly  engaged,  General  Bragg  remaining  with 
the  battery  up  to  the  last  moment  of  the  fight,  and  after  our  infantry 
had  withdrawn  from  the  field,  he  ordered  me  to  withdraw  by  sections 
in  good  order,  covering  the  retreat,  and  taking  position  for  any  advance 
of  t'  e  enemy.  We  encamped  on  the  road  that  night,  and  made  Corinth 
next  evenin'g,  8th  instant,  as  ordered. 

My  first  section,  commanded  by  First  Lieutenant  Garrity,  was 
managed  with  remarkable  coolness  and  ability,  prompt  in  executing  all 
orders  and  firing  with  marked  precision.  The  gunner  to  his  lioNvitzer. 
Corporal  Ingolls  did  great  credit  to  himself  in  this  respect.  His  pieces 
are  brought  back  in  good  order.  Second  Lieutenant  I3oud,  3rd  section, 
behaved  gallantly  when  with  pe  on  Monday,  which  was  our  most 
severe  fighting,  and  when  detached  from  me  Sunday  and  part  of 
Monday,  the  most  flattering  account  of  his  section  is  given  by  those 
whom  he  was  with,  llis  guns  are  back  in  good  order.  Third  Lieu- 
tenant Carroll,  2nd  section,  also  behaved  gallantly,  cheering  his  men 
through  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Ilis  section  lost  one  piece  and  two 
caissons,  which  was  unavoidable. 

To  mention  cases  of  individual  merit  might  be  most  appropriately 
made,  and  could  not  b»  done  without  naming  the  whole  coinmand, 
with  two  or  three  exceptions.  My  loss  in  killed  1  ;  wounded  12. 
Horses  15. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obetlient  servant. 

WM.  H.  KETCHUM, 
Captain  Alabama  Stale  Artillery,  Company  A. 

To  the  unremitting  attention  of  our  surgeon,  Dr.  John  P.  Barnes, 
who  was  with  us  on  the  field  and  untiring  in  his  attentions  to  the 
wounded,  I  shall  ever  feel  grateful,  and  cannot  suy  too  much  in  his 
praise. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  H.  KETCHUM, 
Captain  Alalmma  State  Art  llcry. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  MARSHALL  J.    SMITH. 


Headquarters  Crescent  Regiment, 
Third  Brigade,  Ruggles'  Division, 
Camp  McFhcdcrs\  April  14,  1SG2. 

To  Colonel  Prkston  Pond,  Jr., 

Commandhig  Srd  Brigade,  Ruggles^  Division,  Sfc.  : 

* 

Colonel:  I  submit,  herewith,  a  report  of  the  operations  of  my 
regiment  on  the  6th  and  7th  instant,  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  near 
Pittsburg. 

In  obedience  to  your  order,  on  the  morning  of  the  Gth,  I  took  position 
■witli  my  regiment  on  the  right  of  Colonel  Looncy's  3Sth  Tennessee 
regiment,  the  left  of  the  latter  resting  on  0\y1  creek,  to  guard  the  road 
leading  to  the  enemy's  camp  and  to  prevent  their  turning  our  left, 
supported  by  two  pieces  from  Ketchum's  battery,  commanded  by  Lieu- 
tenant Philip  Bond.  We  remained  in  this  position  until  about  1  1-2 
o'clock  P.  M.,  when  we  received  orders  through  Colonel  Beard,  aid  to 
General  Bragg,  to  come  immediately  to  the  front.  We  moved  both 
regiments  by  the  right  flank  rapidly  forward  and  to  the  right.  My 
own,  throwing  off  their  blankets  and  all  incumbrances,  to  facilitate 
tlieir  movements,  passed  through  the  enemy's  camps,  which  ap- 
peared to  have  been  the  scene  of  severe  conflict,  towards  the  heavy 
firing  in  front, .passing  by  the  position  occupied  by  General  Beaure- 
gard, who  ordered  us  to  "  go  forward  and  drive  the  enemy  into  Ten- 
nessee." Advancing  about  three  hundred  yards  further  through  open 
woods,  rake<l  by  shell  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  we  came  up  with 
Generals  Polk,  lluggles  and  Anderson.  The  enemy's  battery,  sus- 
tained by  sharpshooters,  occupieda  hill  to  the  right  of  an  open  field, 
which  contained  a  house,  a -cotton  pen,  some  cotton  bales,  &c.,  behind 
which  the  sharpshooters  were  posted  in  considerable  force.  After  con- 
sultation, Gen.  Polk  directed  Gen.  Anderson  to  the  right,  and  Looney's 
and  my  regiment  to  the  left.  I  found  the  fire  so  heavy  from  the  bat- 
tery and  sharpshooters,  that  in  my  judgment,  it  became  prudent  to 
drive  them  from  this  stronghold,  before  feeling  to  <Aie  left,  which  we 
did  by  a  charge,  driving  them  towards  their  battery  and  from  the 
thicket  in  front  of  it.  The  two  pieces  of  Ketchum's  battery  came  up 
and  were  assigned  position  by  mo  Lieutenant  B(^  promptly  re- 
sponded to  the  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  battery,  and  by  his  cool- 
ness and  precision,  in  a  short   time   succeeded  in  silencing  them.     I 


317 

then  filed  my  regiment  around  to  the  left  through  a  heavy  thicket, 
passing  between  two  of  our  regiments,  of  what  State,  I  am  unable  to  say, 
and  advancing  under  the  orders  of  General  Polk,  took  position  in  front 
of  the  enemy,  who,  retreating,  had  taken  position  behind  fences  and 
houses,  to  secure  tliemselves  from  the  fire  of  our  forces,  who  were 
pressing  them  from  the  front.  Our  flank  fire  caused  them  to  break 
and  run  to  their  quarters,  where  we  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  them, 
and  filing  again  to  a  more  advanced  position,  surrounded  them,  when 
the  surrender  of  a  large  number  took  place.  I  myself  received  the 
swords  of  many  of  them,  among  whom  were  Colonel  jNIorton,  23rd 
Mo.,  and  Captain  McMichael,  Acting  Adjutant  General  to  General 
Smith.  General  Prentiss  surrendered  on  the  same  spot,  some  fifteen 
minutes  after,  not  to  me,  because  I  was  engaged  in  preventing  the  es- 
cape of  those  already  prisoners,  but,  I  am  told,  to  some  private  of 
Colonel  Freeman's  Tennessee  regiment !  That  my  regiment  Avas  in 
advance  of  the  others  at  the  surrender,  and  that  I  Avas  ordered  to  re- 
ceive the  surrender  by  General  Polk,  there  is  no  room  for  doubt.  A 
flag  was  surrendered  at  the  same  time,  but  being  engaged  in  advancing 
on  the  enemy,  I  lost  sight  of  it.  We  also  captured  at  this  place,  a 
fine  bronze  18  pound  howitzer.  In  the  several  charges  incident  to  the 
final  surrender  of  this  camp,  we  had  several  brave  men  killed  and  many 
wounded.  The  enemy  again  formed  line  of  battle  in  the  woods  between 
the  camp  an  1  Pittsburg,  and  we  formed  behind  the  batteries  placed  to 
oppose  them,  and  after  being  shelled  for  some  little  time,  the  enemy 
broke,  retreating  towards  Pittsburg,  It  is  reported  that  the  white  flag 
was  raised  at  this  time,  which  was  not  so,  as  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
plainly  visible.  After  their  retreat,  the  gun-boats  opened  a  most  des- 
tructive fire,  which  we  endured  for  some  time,  not  being  able  to  reply,  and 
under  orders,  we  retired  in  good  order  from  the  point  gained,  and  took 
up  our  quarters  for  the  night  in  one  of  the  enemy's  encampments.  I 
received  orders  from  General  Beauregard,  to  be  prepared  for  action  at 
6  o'clock  A.  M.  the  next  morning,  the  7th'  inst.,  and  to  move  towards 
the  Bark  road.  When  near  General  Beauregard's  headquarters,  I  re- 
ceive 1  orders  to  move  to  the  support  of  General  Chalmers,  who  was 
then  engaged  with  the  enemy.  We  were  formed  in  line  by  General 
Withers,  to  move  forward  to  the  support  of  the  advanced  line,  with 
the  l!)th  Louisiana  on  our  right.  As  the  army  advanced,  the  forces 
in  front  of  us  retired,  and  the  Washington  Artillery,  Captain  Hodgson, 
forming  his  battery  in  front  of  us,  we  supported  him.  This  battery 
gallantly  maintained  their  position,  dealing  destruction  upon  the  foe, 
until  the  artillery  on  their  left  retired,  leaving  them  alone.  At  this 
moment,  the  enemy  advanced  in  heavy  force,  and  the  artillery  properly 
fearing  such  odds,  limbered  up  and  filed  off  to  our  left.  We  then  ad- 
vanced, covering  the  movement  of  the  artillery,  saving  several  of  th*ir 
pieces  and  driving  the  enemy  before  us.  Here  fell  Captaii.s  Graham 
and  Campbell,  two  of  my  best  and  most  gallant  officers,  and  in  this  same 
charge  fell,  killed  and  wounded,  most  of  the  gallant  spirits  whose  loss 
we  now  deplore. 

The  enemy  being  again   reinforced,  after  having  been  driven  back, 
in  order  to  prevent  being  flanked,  we  were  forced  to  retire  to  the  ravine. 


31S 

The  1st  Missouri,  lyin^  unrler  the  brow  of  the  hill,  sent  a  volley  into 
the  enemy,  which  threw  them  into  confusion,  and  my  regiment  ally- 
ing ag:iin  charged  the  enemy.  Here  my  color  sergeant,  Shilling,  with 
three  of  the  color  guard,  were  shot  down,  and  the  flag  was  handed  to 
Sergeant  Lyons,  of  the  Twiggs  Guards,  who  bore  it  faithfully  and 
fearlessly  over  the  hill.  This  time,  with  another  regiment  on  our  left, 
we  drove  the  enemy  into  a  wheat  field  an<l  back  to  the  undergrowth, 
when  iiiiding  them  supported  by  two  regiments  in  ambush,  we  retired 
in  g(jod  order  to  the  ravine.  Four  times  thus,  we  drove  the  enemy 
back,  every  time  coming  upon  us  with  fresh  troops.  .  At  about  3 
o'clock,  when  the  troops  were  ordered  to  retire,  we  did  so  by  the  orders 
of  (leiierals  Hardee  and  Withers,  being  held,  with  other  regimeats, 
uniUr  command  of  Colonel  AVheeler  of  the  Alabama  regiment,  to  pro- 
tect the  withdrawal  of  the  other  troops  of  our  army,  until  between 
five  and  six  o'clock  P.  M.,  Avhen  we  proceeded  to  a  point  about  three 
and  a  half  miles  from  Monterey,  where  we  encamped  during  the  night, 
rctr.rning  the  next  moining  to  this  camp.  My  men  were  exhausted 
and  were  absolutely  sinking  on  the  way  from  the  effects  of  fatigue, 
want  Oi'  food,  sleep  and  rest.  We  left  the  field  of  battle  a  half  mile  in 
adv;;iKe  of  the  point  where  we  commenced  the  fight,  and  within  that 
space  lay  those  brave  men  who  had  fallen  dead  and  wounded,  num- 
bcriiiL'  one  hundred  and  seven,  a  detailed  report  of  which  is  an- 
nexed. 

Lieutenant  Color.el  McPheeter's,  Major  Basworth,  Captains  ILirden- 
berg,  (Commissary,)  and  Gribble,  (Quartermaster,)  and  Adjutant 
Venables,  behaved  gallantly. 

Among  the  line  officers,  I  have  great  satisfaction  in  mentioning  the 
following  as  distinguished  for  coolness,  bravery  and  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  duty  :  \_^ 

(.'oiiipany  A,  Lieutenants  Stephens,  Handy  and  Le  Gay,  the  two 
last  wounded. 

Company  B,  Captain  Haynes,  Lieutenants  Claiborne  and  Howell. 

Ccnipany  C,  Lieutenant  Bullitt,  who  supplied  the  place  of  the 
lamented  Graham,  after  he  fell,  oflering  to  carry  the  colors  himself. 

Company  1),  IJcutenant  Klcslier  and  Forstall. 

Company  E,  Lieutenant  Airey  and  Holii.es. 

Company  F;  Captain  Austin  and  Lieutenant  Guillett,  the  latter  ex- 
hibiting a  courage  bordering  on  impetuosity. 

Company  G,  Captain  Helm  and  liientenant  Mullen,  Lieutenant 
Shejiperd,  Lieutenant  Enderly,  Lieutenants  Fisher  and  Perry,  being 
wounded  early  in  the  action. 

Company  1,  Captain  Knight,  who,  though  wounded,  I  found  a  diffi- 
culty in  keeping  from  the  field.  Lieutenant  Field,  who,  supplying 
liis  place,  conducted  himself  with  coolnecs  and  bravery.  Lieutenant 
Seaman. 

Company  K,  Lieutenant  McDougall,  supplying  the  place  of  the 
gallant  Campbell.     Lieutenants  Garrison  and  Collie. 

Company  L,  Captain  Davidson  was  cool  and  collected.  On  Monday 
I  wasdeprived  ol  his  valuable  services.  Lieutenant  Lewis  well  filled 
the  post.     Lieutenant  Fellows  was  seriously  wounded. 


319 
/ 

In  regard  to  the  conduct  of'  the  privates,  there  arc  many  that  acted 
with  great  gallantry  and  coolness.  There  are  hut  two,  and  that  par- 
ticularly on  account  of  their  youth,  whom  I  will  mention  :  Paul  Lo 
Moncier,  company  B,  James  Ilanafy,  company  II. 

MAIiSIIALL  J.  SMITH, 
CcloneL  Crescent  Regime?  t. 


CAPTAIN  JENKINS'    CONSOLIDATED    REPORT  OF  CASU- 
ALTIES  OF  1st  BATTALION  ALABAMA  CAVALRY. 


Camp  Cavalry   Battalion, 
Near  Corinth,  Miss.,  April  18tli,  1862. 

To  R.  M.  lIooE,  A.  A.   G.: 

A.  A.   Gc.NER.u>:     Ilercwitli  enclosed,  you  find  report  of  all  of  the 
Captains  of  my  battalion  1st  Alabama  cavalry. 
Below,  niuabcr  of  casualties  : 

Men  killed,  wounded,  missing.    Horses  killed.  Wounded. 
Capt.     Jenkins,.  .0  0  I) 

Cox 2  0  U 

"  Robins,... 0  3  0 

"       Tomllnson,  0  3  (), 

Total 2  6  0  7  9 

1  have  the  honor  to  remain,  sir, 

Your  obedient  serv't, 

T.  F.  JENKINS, 
Senior  Captain,  commanding 
\st  liattalimx  Alab::ma  Cavalry. 


0 

(1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

4 

5 

REPORT  OF  THE  ACTION  AND  PART  TAKEN  BY  CAP- 
TAIN JENKINS,  COMMANDING  THE  1st  BATTALION 
ALABAMA  CAVALRY,  IN  THE  ENGAGEMENTS  OF 
THE  6th  and  7th  INSTANT. 


Camp  Cavalry  Battalion,  Cavalry  Brigade, 

Near  Corinth,  Miss., 

AprU  18,  1862. 

To  Brigadier  General  Ruggles  :  , 

General:  I  herewith  submit  a  report  of  the  part  taken  by  my 
company  in  the  action  of  the  6th  and  7th  inst.  On  the  first  day  of 
the  action,  my  company  was  attached  as  support  to  a  section  of  Capt. 
Ketchum's  battery  on  the  left  flank  of  Brig.  Gen.  Ruggles'  Division. 
In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  when  the  battery  was  ordered  for- 
ward, my  company,  by  order  of  Gen.  Beauregard,  dismounted  to  fight 
on  foot.  I  advanced  with  the  27th  regiment  Tennessee,  but  did  not 
have  the  gratification  of  exchanging  shots  with  the  enemy  before  their 
final  retreat  to  the  gun-boats.  Nothing  worthy  of  note  occurred  in 
the  action  of  the  6th  inst. 

On  the  morning  of  the   7th,  I   was  ordered   to  tlie  extreme  left  as 

flankers  and  skirmishers,  and   was   advancing    in    thnt    position  when 

Major  General  Bragg,  ordered  me  to  join  Col.    Brewers'  battalion,  in 

the  charge  upon  one  of  the  enemy's  battery's  on  the  left — but  being 

ordered  to  retire  before  reaching  the   battery,  did  not    succeed  in  its 

capture.     The  remainder   of  the   day,  we   remained   in   rear  of  Gen. 

Ruggles'  division,  as  support  to  Capt.  Ketchum's  battery.     2nd  Lieut. 

Mcintosh  was  attached  as  commander  of  Gen.  Ruggles'  body-guard  oni 

both  days  of  the  action.     Nothing  occurred  deserving  particular  note.. 

No.  of  men  engaged  on  the  6th 52  )       -^j „,,  ,,.  „ 

^.r        ..     ..  7tl, 47}       No  casualties. 

T.  F.  JENKINS. 

Commanding  Battalion  of  Cavalry, 

21 


CAPTAIN  TOMLINSON'S  REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLES  OF 
THE  Gth   and  7ih  OF  APRIL. 


Camp  near  Corinth,  Miss., 

April  18,  1862. 

My  company  of  Alabama  mounted  volunteers  was  under  command 
'of  Brigadier  General  Ruggles  on  the  Gth  and  7th  instant,  at  Shiloh 
Church.  Seven  of  ray  men,  with  a  corporal,  were  detained  as  cour- 
iers, under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant  S.  Mcintosh. 
From  the  time'the  battle  began  to  12  o'clock,  M.,  my  command  was 
with  General  Ruggles  on  the  battle  field,  and  from  that  time  until  4 
o'clock  I  was  engaged  in  watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy  on 
our  left  wing.  The  remainder  of  the  day  and  also  the  night  Avas  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  Cox. 

Monday  morning  I  was  ordered  b}'-  Brigadier  General  Ruggles  to 
form  line  of  battle  with  a  Tennessee  battalion  on  the  left.  Soon  or- 
ders came  to  assist  in  a  charge  with  said  battalion  and  Texas  Rangers. 
The  charge,  from  some  cause,  was  not  made,  and  we  fell  back,  where 
%my  command  remained,  until  ordered  by  General  Bragg  to  hasten  to 
Corinth  to  overtake  and  aid  the  escort  with  the  prisoners. 

I  went  on  the  field  with  three  commissioned  officers,  six  non-com- 
missioned officers,  and  forty-eight  privates.  In  the  evening  private 
George  W.  McCurdy  was  shot  by  the  enemy  through  the  right  hand 
with  a  musket  ball.  Same  evening  corporal  W.  D.  King  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  right  arm.  In  the  morning  sergeant  John  J.  Coch- 
ran was  thrown  from  his  horse  and  his  left  shoulder  was  dislocated. 
None  missing. 

I  had  four  horses  killed  and  five  Avounded.  I  captured  two  mus- 
kets and  three  horses,  all  of.  which  I  now  have,  and  lost  five  of  Colt's 
^pistols. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

A.  TOMLINSON, 
•    Captain  Mathcid's  Bangers. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  COX,  OF  THE  ACTION  AND  PART 
TAKEN'  BY  HIS  COMMAND  IN  THE  BATTLES  OF  THE 
()Tii  AND  7th  of  APRIL. 


Cty.T  Cavaliiy  Battalion. 

Near  Corinth,  Mistj., 

April  13th,  1862. 

Captain  .   The  cavalry   company,   Prattsvillc  dragoons,  of  Captain 
Jenkins'  cavalry  battalion,  carried  to  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  (jth 
April,  four  commissioned  officers,  four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  one 
bugler,  and  thirty-three  privates.     The  company,  with  Captain  Tom- 
Mnson's  company,  was  ordered  to  advance  with  the  right  wing  of  Gcn- 
ral  Ruggles'  division.      After  entering  the  first  camp  of  the  enemy, 
'uptain  Tomlinson  was   ordered  to  reconnoitre  the  woods  on  the  left 
r  that  division.     My  own  was  ordered  to  remain  with  General  Rug-^ 
gles,  which  was  used  during  the  day  of  the  6th  as  couriers  and  rally- 
ing troops.     In  the  evening  of  the   Gth   I  was   ordered  by  General 
Ruggles  to  carry  an  order  to  the  Texas  Rangers  to  charge  the  enemy, 
and  my  company  to  charge  with  them.      Wo   started  for  that  purpose 
in  columns  of  fours.     The  front  columns  of  the   Texas   Rangers  mot 
lie  inf\intry  of  the  enemy,  and  an  order  was  given  to  retire  ;  the  cause 
i  do  not  know,  but  think  the  position  of  the  enemy   was   such  th-^ 
chnrge  could  not  be  made. 

Monday  morning,  the  7th,  was  ordered  with  General  Ruggles  ;  re- 
'uiiued  Avilh  him  until  ordered  by  the  General  to  go  with  Captain 
onkins'  company  and  support  a  section  of  Ketchum's  battery.  Went 
'  >r  that  purpose,  but  found  the  section  retiring  to  take  its  former  po- 
ition.  Was  next  ordered  by  Captain  Jenkins  to  go  with  his  company 
and  the  Texas  Rangeis  to  charge  the  cncTuy's  left  flank.  In  the  even- 
ing of  tlie  7th  took  position  in  the  roar  as  ordered,  until  relieved  by 
'■cneral  JJragg,  as  a  part  of  his  body-guard. 

On  the  Gth  private   John    Stracker  was   killed  wliile  we  were  with 
Creneral  Ruggles, 

On  the  morning  of  the    7th    corporal   Adam  Clanigen  was  killed. 
One  horse  killed,  and  two  others  had  th«;ir  legs  broken.     Took  off  of 


324 

the  field  one  horse,  two  muskets,  one  Sharpens  rifle,  and  six  guns  of 
diflferent  makes,  which  have  been  turned  over  to  the  Quartermaster 
and  Ordnance  Master, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  J.  COX, 
Ckiptain  Prattsville  Dragoons. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  ROBINS,  OF  THE  ACTION  AND 
PART  TAKEN  BY  HIS  COMMAND  IN  THE  ENGAGE- 
MENTS OF  THE  6th  and  7t»  OF  APRIL. 


Near  Corinth,  Miss., 

April  18th,   1862. 

On  Sunday,  the  6th  of  April,  fifteen  men  of  my  command  were  de- 
tailed to  act  as  couriers.  Ten  of  them  acted  as  couriers  for  General 
Ruggles,  and  five  for  General  Pond,  The  balance  of  my  command 
masked  Ketchum's  battery  until  it  went  into  action.  My  command 
was  then  ordered  by  General  Beauregard  to  bring  up  stragglers,  which 
was  executed,  until  the  enemy  began  the  retreat.  I  was  then  ordered 
by  General  Beauregard  to  report  to  General  Ruggles.  After  report- 
ing to  General  Ruggles  he  put  several  hundred  prisoners  in  my 
charge,  which  he  had  captured.  I  guarded  them  during  the  night,  and 
on  Monday  took  them  to  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  put  them  on  the  cars. 
My  men  behaved  well,  and  were  willing  and  ready  to  obey  any  order 
that  W41S  given  them.  Three  of  my  men  were  wounded,  two  horses 
killed,  and  two  horses  wounded.  Two  sabres  and  one  Colt's  navy  pis- 
tol lost.     Total  number  of  men  engaged,  73. 

J.  ROBINS, 
Commanding  Cavalry. 


KEPORT 


OF    THE 


EVA^CUATION  OF   JACKSONVILLE. 


COLONEL  ^V.  G.  DILWORTH,  COMMANDING: 


Headquarters  District  E.  and  M.,  Fla.,  I 
Tallahassee,  Fla.,  April  15,  1862.      S 

To  Captain  T.  A.  Washington, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Pocataligo,  S.  C.  : 

Captain  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  commanding  General 
the  evacuation  of  Jacksonville  by  the  enemy,  which  was  done  on  the 
;')th  instant. 

When  the  enemy  first  occupied  Jacksonville,  and  while  all  the 
Federal  troops  were  fetreating  in  confusion  and  disorder,  I,  as  Colonel 
3d  M.  F.  v.,  ordered  a  part  of  my  regiment  to  advance  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Jacksonville,  and  took  position  within  ten  miles  of  the  city, 
with  onlj^  two  hundred  and  fifty  effective  men.  Soon  I  had  eight 
companies  of  my  regiment  with  me.  After  making  a  thorough  recon- 
noisance  of  the  city,  I  became  convinced  that  I  could  not  attack  the 
city  without  heavy  loss,  and  could  be  driven  out  by  the  enemy's  gun- 
boats. 

I  then  determined  to  commence  a  system  of  annoyance  by  attacking 
their  pickets,  foraging  parties,  &c.  I  made  a  successful  attack  on 
the  pickets  near  the  city  of  Jacksonville,  killing  four  and  taking  three 
prisoners,  when  I  was  ordsred  to  take  command  of  the  district.  Col. 
Davis  was  then  ordered^  to  the  command  of  the  forces  near  Jackson- 
ville, and  has  most  successfully  carried  on  the  system   which  I  com- 


328 

menced,  and  wliicli  has  resulted  in  their  evacuation  of  the  place. 
Colonel  Davis  I  regard  as  an  efficient  officer,  and  commend  him  to  your 
favorable  consideration. 

I  have  further  to  report,  that  after  the  evacuation,  the  enemy  re- 
turned with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  "were  permitted  to  land  fifty-two 
negroes,  which  were  taken  ia  charge  by  the  commander  of  the  post. 

I  enclose  a  list  of  prisoners  taken  near  Jacksonville,  and  ask  in- 
structions as  to  what  disposition  will  be  made  of  them. 

I  also  ask  permission  to  exchange  three  of  them  for  three  of  ours, 
which  were  taken  at  Santa  Rosa,  near  Pensacola,  and  are  here  on 
parole.     This  exchange  could  be  made  at  Fernandina. 

I  enclose  reports  of  Colonel  Davis,  reporting  the  capture  of  three 
prisoners. 

I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

'      W.  G.  DILWORTH, 
•  Colonel  commanding. 


List  of  Prisoners   recently  captured    in    tJvs  Depirtment,  E.  and   M.     | 
Florida^  now  in  confinement  at  these  Headquarters,  Tallaliassee,  April 
\5th,  18G2. 

Oorporal  John  E.  Austin,  company  H,  4th  N.  H,  Regiment. 
Private  Sol.  C.  Burnford, 

''         Levy  M.rtin, 

"       W.  C.  Woodworth, 

"       Chas,  A.  McQucstrel,' 

'*       Geo.  E.  Cotton, 

"       Jas.  S,  Thompson, 
Ist  Sergeant  Richard  Webster 
Corporal  Jas.  W.  Bowman, 
Private  Isaac  Whitner, 

"        John  E.  Kent, 

"        Andrew  B.  Merrell, 

•"        Wesley  Adams, 


D. 


company  I,  9th  Maine  Regiment. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  W.  S.  DIL WORTH. 


Headquarters  Provisional  Forces, 

East  ano  Middle  Florida, 
Tallahassee,  April  \Wk  1862. 

To  Major  General  Pbmberton, 

Commanding  Department  So.  Ca.  and  Geo. : 

Sir  :     I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  six    Federal  prisoners 
were  brought  into  our  lines  near 'Jacksonville  on  the  lltli  inst.,  and 
were,  on  yesterday,  lodged  in  the  jail  of  this  city.     Their  names  are 
as  follows : 
Age. 
45  Ord.  Serg't  Richard  Webstet,  company  I,  9th  Maine  regiment, 
28  Corp'l  James  AV.  Bowman, 
31  Private  Isaac  Whitner, 
17         "      John  E.  Kent, 
84         "      Andrew  B.  Merrell, 
20         "      Wesley  Adams, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General, 

Your  ob'd't  servant, 

W.  S.  DILWORTII,      ; 
Colonel  commanding. 
J.   L.   Cross,  A.  A.  A.  General. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  W.  G.  DILWORTIL 


Headquarters  District  E.  and  M.  Fla., 
^.  Tallahassee,  Fla.,  April  \5th,   1862. 

To  Captain  T.  A.  Washington, 

Captain  and  A.  A.  Generctl,  Pocoialigo,  S.  C. 

Captain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  General  commanding 
this  department,  that  the  1st  cavalrj  regiment  Florida  volunteers, 
have  not  yet  started  for  Tennessee,  and  enclose  herewith,  report  of 
Col.  Davis  as  to  the  condition  of  horses,  etc.,  etc.  I  also  enclose  the 
order  of  Brig.  Gen.  J.  W.  Trapier,  delaying  the  removal  of  this  regi- 
ment, for  reasons  specified  in  the  order.  I  respectfully  ask  for  in- 
structions on  the  subject  of  the  removal  of  this  regiment  to  Tennes- 
see. I  was  ordered  to  take  command  of  this  District  on  the  1st  inst., 
and  am  not  responsible  for  the  non-removal  of  Col,  Davis'  regiment 
of  cavalry. 

Will  the  General  commanding,  bo  pleased  to  instruct  me  on  this 
subject,  at  his  earliest  convenience. 

I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself. 

Your  ob't  servant, 
;  W.  G.  DILWORTIl, 

Colond  comrnandivg. 


(Copy.)- 
ORDER  TO  COLONEL  DAVIS. 


Headquarters  Ppovisional  Forces, 
Department  East  and  Midole  Florida, 

Tallahassee,  March  25^/i,  1862. 


SPECIAL  ORDER,  ) 
No.   118.  < 


Colonel  Wm.  G.  M.  Davis,  1st  Florida  cavalry,  will  proceed  to  camp 
Langford,  with  his  wholp  command,  and  relieve  Colonel  Dihvorth.  3rd 
R.  F.  v.,  in  command  of  all  the  forces  in  that  portion  of  the  State, 
provided  Colonel  Hopkins,  4th  R.  F.  V.,  is  not  present. 

As  soon  as  the  arras  now  en  route  for  Lake  City  shall  have  arrived 
at  that  point,  Colonel  Davis  will,  witli  his  regiment,  proceed  imme- 
diately to  Tennessee,  and  report  for  duty  to  General  A.  S.  Johnston, 

C.  S.  A. 

*         «         *         ■«         *         *         *         *         #         *         *- 

By  order  of  GENERAL  TRAPIER. 

R.  H.  Anderson,  Major  and  A.  A.  General. 

(A  true  copy,)  J.  0.  A.  Gerrv. 


LETTER  FROM  COLONEL  DAVIS,  FIRST  CAVALRY,  WITH 
REGARD  TO  CONDITION  OF  HORSES,  &c.,  &c. 


Camp  Langtord.  ) 

April  8th,  18*2.      ] 

Captain  :  Soon  after  my  arrival  at  this  post,  I  caused  an  examination 
to  be  made  of  the  condition  of  the  horses  of  the  1st  regiment  Florida 
cavalry,  with  a  view  to  ascertain  their  fitness  to  be  marched  to  Tennessee. 
I  regret  to  say  that  ovring  to  hard  service,  want  of  all  food  for  days  at 
a  time,  and  an  entire  absence  of  long  forage  for  nearly  two  months,  all 
the  horses,  with  but  few  exceptions,  are  so  much  reduced  as  to  be  entirely 
unfit  for  any  service,  which  would  require  that  they  should  be  used 
continually  for  three  days.  I  can  use  them  for  scouting  within  a 
distance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles,  where  they  are  not  ridden  more  than 
twenty  or  thirty  miles  in  a  day  arid  often  rested.  Many  of  them  could 
not  do  any  duty,  they  are  so  much  reduced.  There  arc  at  least  two 
hundred  that  ought  to  be  condemned  or  put  in  some  wild  pasture.  I 
think  if  two  thirds  were  sent  to  Paine's  prairie  and  put  to  pasture,  the 
other  third  would  be  fit  for  such  service  as  would  be  required  of  them 
here.  The  placing  of  the  broken  down  horses  in  pasture  would  in 
six  weeks  put  them  all  in  good  condition  that  are  capable  of  being 
made  serviceable.  A  number  of  the  horses  have  died,  some  have  been 
abandoned  on  the  various  marches.  From  this  statement  the  Colonel 
will  perceive  that  the  regiment  is  entirely  unfit  to  proceed  to  Tennessee 
as  a  cavalry  corps.  If  the  government  will  mount  it  in  Tennessee  the  men 
arc  Avell  instructed  and  could  render  service.  The  horses  as  they  are 
would  not  be  worth  what  it  would  cost  the  government  to  feed  them 
on  the  road,  and  the  pay  allowed  for  their  use.  As  we  have  a  complete 
new  cavalry  equipment  and  have  good  men,  whohavelearned  the  drill, 
it  would  be*i  matter  of  regret  that  the  regiment  should  not  be  employed 
as  cavalry.  I  am  using  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  as  scouts, 
who  are  mounted  on  the  best  horses.  You  are  aware  that  there  are 
two  hundred  and  fifty  horses  at  camp  "Mary  Davis"  belonging  to 
three  companies  now  on  duty  here  dismounted.  These  horses  are  all  in 
good  order  and  capable  of  any  service.  Two  hundred  of  the  horses  here 
could  be  put  in  good  condition  if  not  used  for  one  month,  amd  would 
be  fit  for  service  in  Tennessee.  If  we  condemned  all  the  rest,  we 
should  lack,  to  mount  the  command,  about  four  hundred  horses.  The 
dismissal  of  the  horses  would  be  a  great  hardship  upon  the  men,  unless 


333 

compensation  was  made  ¥y  the  Government,  They  have  been  rendered 
unserviceable  by  reason  of  the  inability  of  the  Government  to  furnish 
forage,  and  by  exposure  to  the  weather.  The  officers  have  become 
security  for  the  men,  who  bought  the  horses  on  credit,  and  the  pay 
now  due  would  not  indemnify  them.  I  do  not,  therefore,  recommend 
the  condemnation  of  the  horses,  unless  some  compensation  is  made 
the  men.  I  have  the  honor  to  request  that  the  Colonel  commanding 
will  make  such  communication  on  the  subject  to  the  department,  as  he 
may  deem  proper,  that  I  may  receive  instructions. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c., 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  G.  M.  DAVIS, 


'* 


(A  Copy.) 
REPORT  OF  COLONEL  W.  G.  M.  DAVIS. 


IIeadquarter'<  Provisional  Forces,  ^ 

East  Florida,       > 

Camp  Langford,  April  VZth,  1862.  ) 

To  Captain  J.  S.  Cross, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  - ' 

Depart, nent  East  and  Middle  Florida : 

Captaix  : — 1  liavo  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the 
Colonel  commanding  the  department,  that  Captain  )Vm.  M.  Footman, 
company  F,  1st  Florida  cavalry,  in  charge  of  a  detachment  of  forty 
men,  same  corps,  sent  by  me  to  Avatch  the  movements  of  the  enemy 
near  Fernandina,  and  to  repel  any  effort  made  to  leave  the  island  of 
Amelia  for  the  main  land,  in  such  small  parties  as  he  might  be  able  to 
cope  with.  1\\  the  execution  of  such  orders  he  encountered  two  men 
on  the  railroad,  who  had  landed  from  a  hand  car,  and  made  them  pris- 
oners Avithout  resistance.  In  a  short  time  afterwards  he  found  a  party 
of  five  men  at  the  house  of  Judge  O'Neal.  One  of  the  party  offering 
resistance  was  killed  and  the  rest  the'n  made  prisoners.  The  Avhole  of 
the  prisoners  were  sent  here  by  Captain  Footman,  and  I  have  sent 
them  by  the  train  to-d.iy,  under  a  guard  of  five  men,  to  be  delivered 
to  you  at  Tallahassee.  I  desire  particularly  to  commend  the  conduct 
of  Captain  Footman,  who  has  on  this  occasion,  as  he  has  at  all  times, 
proved  himself  a  zealous,  intelligent  and  efficient  officer.  I  am  about 
TO  increase  Captain  Footman's  force  to  one  hundred  men.  lie  will  be 
assisted  by  parties  of  citizens,  should  he  at  any  time  need  them,  and 
I  look  for  good  news  from  him  before  long.  He  will  alarm  the  enemy 
and  keep  them  confined  to  the  island. 

I  remain,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  G.  M.  DAVIS, 
Colonel  commanding  regiment. 


(A  Copy.) 
REPORT  OF   A.  A.  A.  GENERAL  E.  E.  WITITNER. 


Adjutant's  Office,  Prov.  Fokck,  East  Fla.,  } 
Camp  Langford,  April  8th,  1862.      5 

To  Captain  J.  S.  Cross, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Department  East  and  Middle  Florida  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  two  men  belonging  to  the 
Federal  army  were  sent  to  this  camp  yesterday  by  Captain  Hughes, 
1st  Florida  cavalry  who  is  guarding  the  country  between  this  post 
and  Jacksonville,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Hughes.  The  men  were 
met  by  a  sergeant  of  Captain  Hughes'  command,  on  the  Rings  road. 
They  were  entirely  without  arras  and  did  not  seem  to  desire  to  shun 
the  sergeant,  but  waited  for  him  to  come  up,  Avhcn  they  inquired  the 
way  to  the  plank  road.  The  sergeant  conducted  them  to  the  road  at 
the  point  where  Captain  Hughes  was  bivouacked.  Upon  being  ques- 
tioned, the  men  say  they  desired  to  get  into  our  lines  in  order  to  be 
Fcnt  home  on  parole  of  honor. 

I  h»\'c  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

E.  E.  WHITNER. 
A.  A.  A.  ^H'ral,  Ea-st  Florida. 


rtKFOKT 


BOMBARDMENT 'OF  FORTS  JACKSON  AND  ST/PIIILir,. 


THE  FALL  OF  NEW  OELEANS. 


Headquarters  Department  No,  1,  ) 
Jackson,  Miss.,  May  27,  1862.      ) 

General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  Richmond,  Va. : 

Sir  :  Herewith,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  my  report  of  events  at-- 
tcndant  upon  the  fall  of  New  Orleans.  Also,  the  reports  of  General 
Smith  and  General  Duncan — accompanying  the  latter,  are  a  diagram, 
of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip — the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Higgins  and  Captain  Squires,  and  a  report  of  the  killed  and- wounded, 
at  these  points. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  (tcncral  commanding. 
22 


IIEPORT   OF  MAJOR   GENERAL    LOVELL,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Department  No.  1,  ) 
VicKSBURG,  2^nd  May,  1862.       \ 

'General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  Richmond,  Va. : 

Sir:  lIere^yith,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  reports  of  J3riga* 
iiier  Generals  Duncan  and  Smith,  Avith  the  accompanying  documents, 
of  the  operations 'preceding  and  attendant  upon  the  fall  of  New  Or- 
leans. 

The  department  is  fully  aware,  from  my  official  correspondence  and 
telegraphic  despatches,  of  the  exact  nature  of  the  defences  erected  for 
the  pi'Otection  of  that  city.  Consisting  in  general  terms,  of  an  exterior 
line  of  forts  and  earthworks,  intended  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  the 
armed  vessels  of  the  enemy,  and  an  interior  line  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  city;  which  was  constructed  almost  entirely  Avith  refer- 
ence to  repelling  any  attack  made  by  land  with  infantry..  Where 
this  Hne  crossed  the  river  below  the  city,  it  was  intended  to  have  a 
battery  of  twelve  32  and  ten  42-pounders,  which  it  was  considered 
would  enable  us  to  drive  back  any  small  number  of  ships  that  might 
succeed  in  passing  the  obstructions  at  the  forts,  under  the  fire  of  their 
guns.  But,  whether  sufficient  or  not,  no  more  were  to  be  had,  and 
subsequently,  at  the  earnest  request  oi  the  naval  authorities,  I  trans- 
ferred the  42-pounders  to  the  steamers  "  Carondelet"'  and  "  Bienville,"' 
for  service  on  Lake  Pontchartrain,  in  connection  with  Forts  Pike  and 
Macomb.  ■  Immediately  after  I  assumed  command  of  the  department, 
'finding  that  there  were  no  guns  of  the  heaviest  calibre,  1  applied  to 
Richmond,  Pensacola  and  other  points,  for  som^  1 0-inch  columbiads 
and  sea  coast  mortars,  whicli  I  considered  necessary  to  the  defence  of 
the  .lower  river,  but  none  could  be  spared;  the  general  impression 
being  that  New  Orl(?Jins  would  not  be  attacked  by  the  river,  and  I 
■was,  therefore,  compelled  to  make  the  best  possible  defence  with  the 
.guns  at  my  disposal.  Twelve  42-pounders  were  sent  to  Forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip,  together  with  a  large  additional  quantity  of  powder, 
;and  being  convinced  that  with  the  guns  of  inferior  calibre  mounted 
there,  we  could  not  hinder  steamers  from  passing,  unless  they  could 
ibe  detained  for  some  time  under  .the  fire  of  the  works,  I  pushed  for- 
ward rapidly  the  construction  of  a  raft  which  offered  a  complete  ob- 
struction to   the  passage  of  vessels  up   the  river,  except   through  a 


rsmall  opening,  and  then,  only  one  at  a  time.  The  forts  had  seventj-Bvc 
or  eighty  guns  that  could  be  brought  successively  to  bear  upon  tlie 
river,  were  manned  by  garrisons  of  well  trained  artillerists,  affording 
41  double  relief  to  each  gun,  and  commanded  by  officers  who  had  no 
superiors  in  any  service.  Under  these  circumstances,  although  1  feared 
that  the  high  water  in  the  Spring,  with  the  accompanying  drift,  would 
carry  aw'uy  the  raft,  yet  every  confidence  was  felt  that  the  river  would 
remain  closed  until  such  time  as  the  iron-clad  steamers,  "  Mississippi" 
and  "  Louisiana,"  could  be  finished,  which  I  was  confidently  informed 
would  not  be  later  than  the  1st  of  Februar3\  The  first  raft  constructed 
was  not  carried  away  by  the  high  water  and  drift  until  the  latter  part 
of  February.  But  witli  funds  placed  at  my  disposal  by  the  citizens  ol 
New  Orleaas,  another  was  placed  in  position  in  March,  by  the  ener- 
getic labors  of  Colonel  Iliggi-ns  and  others,  and  the  position  was  again 
temporarily  secure.  No  heavy  guns  had  yet  been  received,  although 
strenuous  applications  were  made  by  me  to  get  some  from  Pcnsacola, 
when  that  place  was  abandoned.  The  general  impression  of  all  those 
to  whom  I  applied,  was,  that  the  largest  guns  should  be  placed  above 
New  Orleans,  not  below,  although  I  had  notified  the  department  on  the 
S2nd  March,  that  in  my  judgment,  the  fleet  only  awwited  the  arrival 
of  the  mortar  vessels,  to  attempt  to  pass  up  the  river  from  below.  By 
means,  however,  of  an  energetic  and  persevering  officer,  Major  W.  P. 
Duncan,  Commissary  Subsistence,  three  ten  inch  columbiads  and  five 
mortars,  were  finally  procured  and  brought' over  just  in  time  to  be  put 
up  as  the  firing  commenced.  Thinking  that  the  enemy's  troops  at  Isle 
Breton,  were  intended  to  land  at  Quarantine  and  act  in  rear  of  Fort 
St.  Philip,  I  ordered  Colonel  bysmauski's  regiment  of  ninety  day's 
men,  anued  with  shot  guns,  to  that  point  as  a  protection.  I  had  like- 
wise organised  two  companies  of  sharpshooters  and  swamp  hunters, 
under  Captains  Mullen  and  Tiartiqiio,  v/liich  were  sent  down  for  ope- 
ration upon  the  enemy's  vessels  from  tlie  banks  of  the  river,  but  the 
high  water,  keeping  the  men  day  and  night  nearly  waist  deep  in  water, 
soon  compelled  them  to  abandon  their  positions.  I  will  here  state  that 
every  Confederate  soldier  in  New  Orleans,  with  the  e.\ception  of  one 
company,  had  been  ordered  to  Corinth  to  join  General  Beauregard,  in 
March,  and  the  city  Ayasonly  garrisoned  by  about  3,')iH)  ninety  day 
troops, — called  out  by  the  Governor,  at  ray  request, — of  Avhom  aliout 
121)0  had  muskets,  and  the  remainder  shot  guns,  of  an  indifferent 
de-scription. 

The  river  rose  rapidly  in  April  and  soon  drove  out  Sysmauski's  re- 
giment, whicU  was  removed  to  the  west  bank,  about  fix  miles  above 
Fort  Jackson.  The  whole  country  became  one  vast  sheet  of  water, 
which  rose  in  llie  forts  and  covered  places  heretor)rc  safe  from  its  en- 
croachments. Under  the  trcmt-ndous  pressure  of  thi-^  current  and  a 
storm  of  wind  and  rain,  the  second  raft  was  broken  away  in  tlic  night 
of  Friday,  tlie  I  1th  of  April,  two  days  before  the  enemy  first  opened 
fire.  The  fourteen  vessels  of  Montgomery  river  defence  expedition 
had  been  ordered  by  the  department  when  completed  to  be  sent  up  to 
Memphis  and  Fort  Pill(»w,  but  believing  the  danger  of  attack  to  be 
greater  from  below,  I  detained  six  of  them  at  New  Orleans,   of   which 


34) 

change  tho  Jjparttnont  was  fully  aiviseJ,  At  my  suggestion,  Gc\ 
Moore  haJ  also  fittcil  up  two  steamers  wliich  were  sent  to  the  forts 
below  the  city.  A  large  number  of  fire  rafts  were  also  eoustructecl 
and  steered  down,  and  two  small  steamers  were  employed  for  the  special 
purpose  of  towing  these  rafts  into  position  where  they  could  be  most 
eifective,  so  as  to  leave  the  armed  vessels  frse  to  operate  against  the 
enemy.  I  telegraphed  General  Beauregard  to  send  down  the  iron-clad 
ram  Manassas,  and  when  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  ordered  the  steamer 
Louisiana  to  be  sent  also  up  the  river,  I  protested  tlirough  the  War  De- 
partment, being  satisfied  that  avc  required  more  heavy  guns  below.  She 
was  eventually  permitted  to  go  down  the  river  on  Sunday,  the  20th  of 
April,  but  not  in  a  condition  to  use  her  motive  power  with  effect.  It 
was  hoped  that,  notwithstanding  this,  she  would  be  able  to  assume  a 
position  below  Fort  St.  Philip,  discovering  the  location  of  the  mortar 
boats,  and  being  herself  proof  against  direct  fire,  dislodge  the  enemy 
with  her  guns,  which  were  of  very  heavy  calibre.  Knowing  also,  that 
the  incessant  bombardment  kept  General  Duncan  closely  confined  to 
Fort  Jackson,  so  that  he  could  give  no  orders  to  the  river  defence 
steamers,  I  placed  the  whole  under  the  control  of  Captain  Mitchell, 
the  armed  steaniers,  as  well  as  the  tugs  intended  to  tow  down  the  fire 
rafts  I  will  here  state,  that  the  river  defense  fleet  proved  a  failure, 
for  the  very  reasons  set  forth  in  my  letter  to  the  department  of  the 
15th  of  Ap'-il.  Unable  to  govern  themselves  and  unwilling  to  be 
gorerned  by  others,  their  almost  total  want  of  system,  vigilance 
and  discipline,  rendered  them  useless  and  helpless,  when  the  enemy 
finally  dashed  upon  them  suddenly  in  a  dark  night.  I  regret  very  much 
that  the  department  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  grant  my  request  to 
place  some  competent  head  in  charge  of  these  steamers.  Learning  sub- 
sequently that  the  Louisiana  was  anchored  above  the  forts  and  that 
tho  tire  rafts  were  not  sent  down,  I  telegraphed  Captain  Mitchell,  re- 
questing him  to  attend  to  it,  and  afterwards  called  upon  Commodore 
Whittle  and  entreated  him  to  order  the  steamer  to  take  the  desired 
position  below  the  forts.  This  he  declined  to  do,  but  telegraphed 
Captain  Mitchell,  tolling  him  '"  to  strain  a  point  to  place  the  vessel 
there,  if  in  his  judgment  it  was  advisable."  No  change,  however,  was 
made,  and  in  the  night  of  the  23d  March,  I'went  down  myself  in  a 
steamboat,  to  urge  Captain  Mitchell  toh  ive  the  Louisiana  anchored  in 
the  position  indicated,  also,  to  ascertain  why  the  fire  rafts  were  not 
sent  down.  A  few  moments  after,the  attack  comn>enced  and  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  passing  with  fourteen  ships,  as  described  in  General  Dun- 
can's report,and  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  as  against  ships  of  war,  was 
over.  I  returned  at  once  to  the  city,  narrowly  escaping  capture,  and 
giving  orders  to  General  Smith,  in  command  of  the  interior  lines,  to 
prepare  to  make  all  possible  resistance  to  the  enemy's  fleet  at  the 
earth  work  batteries  below  the  town,  instructed  Colonel  Lovell  to  have 
several  steamers  ready  to  remove  as  far  as  possible  the  commissary 
and  ordnance  stores,  being  satisfied  that  the  low  developments  at 
Chalmette  could  offer  no  protracted  rcsistanco  to  a  po'werful  fleet, 
whoso  guns,®wing  to  the  high  water.looked  down  upon  the  surface  of  the 
country  and  could  sweep  away  any  number  of  infantry  by  an  enfilading 


341 

fire.  These  lines,  as  before  remarked,  were  intended  mainly  to  repel 
a  land  attack,  but  in  a  high  stage  of  water  were  utterly  untenable  by 
infantry  against  guns  afloat.  It  having  been  reported  to  rae  that,  a 
sufficient  number  of  desperately  bold  men  could  easily  be  got  together 
to  board  the  enemy's  vessels,  and  carry  them  \>y  assault,  I  authorized 
Major  JainQS  to  seize  such  steamers  as  might  be  necessary  for  his 
purpose  and  to  attempt  it.  lie  called  for  one  thousand  men  by  public 
advertisement,  but  being  able  to  fin<l  but  about  a  hundred  who  would 
undertake  it,  he  abandoned  the  project.  On  the  morning  of  the  2ofch, 
the  enemy's  licet  advanced  upon  the  batteries  and  opened  fire,  which 
was  returned  with  spirit  by  the  troops  as  long  as  their  powder  las'ed, 
but  with  little  apparent  effect  upon  the  enemy.  The  powder  intended 
for  this  battery  of  32-pounders,  had  been  transferred  by  me  to  the 
steamer  Louisiana  a  few  days  before,  under  the  supposition  that  it 
would  render  much  better  service  from  her  heavy  rifles  and  shell  guns 
than  with  a  battery  of  light  32's.  For  the  operations  at  these  works, 
you  are  respectfully  referred  to  General  Smith's  report.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  ordnance  stores,  provisions  and  quarantine  property, were 
sent  from  the  city  by  rail  or  steamer,  and  a. portion  of  the  volunteers 
also  took  the  cars  for  Camp  Moore,  78  miles  distant  on  the  Jnckson 
railroad.  The  greater  ])art  of  the  O:)  days'  troops  disbanded  and  re- 
turned to  their  homes.  There  v/ere  two  or  three  regiments  and  smaller 
bodies  of  men,  raised  for  Confederate  service,  in  the  city  at  the  time, 
but  being  entirely  without  arms  of  any  kind,  they  coald  be  of  no 
service,  and  were  also  ordered  to  Camp  Moore.  I  adopted  this  couisc, 
recognizing  the  perfect  absurdity  of  confronting  more  tlnm  a  hundred 
guns  afloat,  of  the  largest  calibre,  avcII  manncfl  and  served,  and  look- 
ing down  upon  the  city,  with  less  than  3, ')',)!)  militia,  mostly  aimed 
with  indiffei'cnt  shot  guns  It  would,  in  my  judgmcntj  have  been  a 
Vt'anton  and  criminal  waste  of  the  blood  of  v/omen  and  children,  with- 
out the  possibility  of  any  good  result,  for  the  enemy  had  only  to  :'.n- 
chor  one  of  his  ships  at  Kenuer,  to  cotntnand  the  JacksDU  railroad, 
and  he  could  have  reduced  the  city  to  ashes  at  his  leisure,  without  our 
being  able  to  make  any  resistance  whatever. 

Why  he  did  not  occupy  Kenner  ar.d  cut  off  all  exit  from  the  city 
immediately,  I  do  not  understand.  Presuming  that  he  would  do  so. 
as  a  matter  of  course,  I  had  reij nested  Capts.  Poindc.xter  and  (iwath- 
jney,  of  the  Navy,  to  have  all  the  steamers  ready  in  Lake  I'ontchar- 
train,  to  carry  the  troops  over  to  Madisonville,  whence  they  could 
march  to  camp  Moore.  A  portion  of  them  were  taken  over  by  this 
route.  Knowing  that  the  enemy  would  at  once  seize  the  Upclousas 
railroad,  and  thus  cut  off  the  troops  occupying  the  works  on  the  coa.;t 
-of  wcsc  Loui.siana,  I  sent  orders  to  the  diffcM-cnt  commanding  officers 
at  Ports  Livingston,  (iuiorr,  Quitman,  Berwick  and  Chcne,  to  dostroj 
their  guns,  and  taking  their  small  arms,  provisions  and  ammunition, 
to  rejoin  me  at  camp  Moore.  Major  Joy  brought  away  the  troops  at 
the  two  latter  forts,  in  a  very  creditable  mginner,  but  those  at  the  other 
works  became  demoralized,  «li?*lianded,  and  returned  to  New  Orleans. 
I  gave  verbal  instructions  to  C(d.  Fuller,  to  have  the  garrison  of  Forts 
Pike  and  Macomb,  battery  liienvcnu  and  Tower  Duprc,  ready  to  move 


312 

rtt  a  moments  notice,  as  their  posts  were  dependent  on  the  city  for 
provisions,  and  tVequeutlj  for  water.  It  was  understood  that  the  na- 
val steamers,  in  connection  with  other  vessels  in  the  lake,  should  bring 
;;%vay  thei'e  garrisons  v.hen  called  upon  to  do  so,  and  after  my  arrival- 
at  camp  Moore,  orders  were  given  on  the  2Gth,  to  go  for  them,  asl  had 
hecn  informed  that  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  had  been  surrendered. 
Finding  that  this  report  was  unt;ue.  I  immediately  countermanded 
the  orders,  giving  instructions  liiat  they  should  be  held  until  further 
notice,  but  before  either  order  could  reach  Madisonvillo,  it  was  reported 
that  the  whole  command  v<-as  already  at  Covington.  I  advised  Capt. 
Poindexter  to  make  his  way  to  Mobile,  with  his  armed  steamers,  but 
he  concluded  to  destroy  them.  We.  however,  procured  from  them 
some  of  the  guns  and  ordnance  stores,  which  I  ordered  immediately  to 
Vicksburg,  to  be  put  in  position  there.  On  the  2.3th,  Capt.  Bayly,  of 
the  Federal  Navy,  demanded  the  surrender  cf  the  city,  and  that  the 
flags  should  be  taken  down,  and  the  United  States  flag  put  up  on  the 
Mint,  Custom  House  and  other  public  buildings.  To  this  demand  I 
returned  an  unqualified  refusal,  declaiming  that  I  would  not  surren- 
der the  city  or  any  portion  of  my  command,  but  added,  tliat  feeling 
unwilling  to  subject  the  city  to  bombardment,  and  recognizing  the 
utter  impossibility  of  removing  the  women  and  children,  I  should 
withdraw  ray  troops  and  turn  it  over  to  the  civil  authoritiea.  This  I 
did  in  compliance  with  the  openly  expressed  opinion  of  all  the  promi- 
nent citizens  around  rao — that  it  would  be  a  useless  waste  of  blood, 
without  being  productive  of  any  beneficial  results  to  the  cause,  for  the 
troops  to  remain,  Capt.  Bayly  then  returned  to  his  ship,  under  escort 
through  the  city,  at  his  own  request,  of  two  officers  of  my  staff,  Col.Lovell 
and  Major  James,  and  I  then  advised  the  Mayor  not  to  surrender  the 
city,  nor  to  allow  the  flags  to  be  taken  dov,'n  by  any  of  our  people, 
but  to  leave  it  to  the  enemy  to  take  them  down  hin".self  This  advice 
was  followed  by  the  city  authorities,  but  the  idea  being  held  out  in 
their  subsequent  correspondence  with  the  Federal  officers,  that  they 
Avere  placed  in  a  defenseless  condition,  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops, 
but  for  whicli  a  dift"ereTit  course  might  have  been  pursued,  I  promptly 
telegraphed  to  Major  James,  of  my  staff,  then  in  the  city,  offering  to 
return  at  once  ^vith  my  whole  command,  if  the  citizens  felt  disposed  to- 
resist  to  the  last- extremity,  and  remain  with  them  to  the  end.  I  had 
deliberately  made  up  my  raind,  that  although  such  a'  step  would  be, 
entirely  indefensible  in  a  military  jioint  of  view,  yet  if  tlte  people  of 
New  Oi-leans  were  desirous  of  signalizing  tlieir  patriotism  and  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  by  the  bombardment  and  burning  of  their  city,  I 
would  leturn  with  my  troops  and  not  leavo  as  long  as  one  brick  re- 
mained upon  another.  The  only,  ])alliation  for  such  an  act  would  be 
that  it  would  give  unmistakable  evidence  fo  the  world  that  our  people 
were  in  deadly'-  earnest.  This  determination,  plainly  expressed  in  my 
despatciies  to  Major  James,  (herewith  transmitted,  marked  A),  was 
read  by  him  to  the  Mayor,  and  also  to  the  city  council  in  presence  of 
one  or  more  prominent  citizens.  The  opinion  was  generally  and  freely 
expressed  by  the  Mayor  and  ethers,  that  the  troops  ought  not  to  return.. 
(Se'e  report  of  Major  James,  hereunto  appended,  marked  B).     I  wenti 


343 

to  the  city  myself,  however,  on  the  night  of  the  28th  of  April,  and  in 
order  that  there  might  be  no  mistake,  made  the  same  proposition  in 
person  to  the  Mayor.  He  said  he  did  not  think  it  advisable  for  the 
troops  to  return — that  such  a  step  would  only  be  followed  by  a  useless 
sacrifice  of  life,  without  any  corresponding  benefit,  and  urged  decidedly 
that  it  he  not  done.  I,  however,  addressed  him  a  letter  (herewith  ap- 
pended, marked  C,)  declaring  my  willingness  to  return  and  share  a 
bombardment  with  them,  and  waited  until  the  night  of  the  29th  for 
an  answer,  but  receiving  none  in  writing,  returned  to  camp  Moore. 
The  same  proposition  was  made  by  me,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  to 
several  prominent  citizens,  but  was  invariably  discountenanced  by 
them. 

For  a  week  after  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops,  I  had  a  number  of 
officers  in  the  city,  and  kept  trains  running  regularly,  which  brought 
out  a  large  amount  of  Government  property  and  stores,  as  well  as  those 
of  the  State  of  Louisiana-.  Nearly  every  t'\ing  was  brought  away 
except  the  heavy  guns  and  some  property  which  persons  in  their  fright 
had  destroyed,  and  every  thing  might  have  been  saved,  had  not  per- 
sons refused  to  work  for  my  officers,  fearing  that  t  ley  might  be  sub- 
jected to  punishment  by  the  enemy.  Many,  also,  refused  to  work  for 
Confederate  money,  which  occasioned  some  delay  and  difficulty  in  the 
removal  of  stores.  I  feel  gratified,  however,  in  being  able  to  state 
that  we  brought  away  all  the  troops  that  would  leave,  and  including 
the  property  of  the  State — a  greater  amount  in  value,  than  belonged 
to  the  Government.  What  we  failed  to  bring,  was  from  inability  to 
get  transportation.  In  this  duty,  I  was  mainly  assisted  by  Col.  Lovell, 
Major  James,  I\Iajor  Ball,  Capt.  Venable  and  Lieut.  McDonald,  to 
whom  the  Government  is  greatly  indebted  for  the  safety  of  much  val- 
uable property.  It  was  a  source  of  great  distress  to  me,  to  see  the 
result  of  months  of  toil  and  labor  swept  away  in  a  few  hours,  but  it 
was,  in  my  opinion,  mainly  attributable  to  the  following  causes,  which 
I  could  not  by  any  possibility  control. 

1st.  The  want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  guns  of  heavy  calibre, 
which  every  exertion  was  made  to  procure,  without  success. 

2d.  The  failure,  through  inefficiency  and  want  of  energy  of  those 
who  had  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  iron-clad  steamers  Loui- 
siana and  Mississippi,  to  have  them  completed  in  the  time  specified,  so 
as  to  supply  the  place  of  obstructions;  and,  finally,  the  declension  of 
the  officers  in  charge  of  the  Louisiana  to  allow  her  (though  not  en- 
tirely ready)  to  be  placed  as  a  battery  in  the  position  indicated  by 
General  Duncan  and  myself.  On  ths.se  last  points  I  could  only  advise 
and  suggest,  as  they  appertained  to  a  separate  and  independent  de- 
partment, over  which  I  had  no  control  whatever.  (See  letter  of 
Major  James,  hereunto  appended,  marked  D).  Opened  fire  on  the 
13th  of  April,  which  was  kept  up,  at  intervals,  for  five  dajs,  when, 
the  mortars  opened,  and,  from  that  time,  with  but  a  single  interrup- 
tion of  a  few  hours,  a  bombardment  was  kept  uf»  for  seven  days  and' 
nights,  which,  for  great  rapidity  and  accuracy  of  range,  has  no  paral- 
lel. More  than  twenty-five  thousand  shells  were  thrown,  of  which 
not  less  than  one-third  fell  within  the  limits  of  Fort  Jackson,  yet  the- 


344 

garrison  held  out,  although  wet,  -vtithout  change  of  clothing,  and  ex- 
hausted for  want  of  rest  and  regular  food,  with  a  heroic  endurance 
which  is  heyond  all  praise.  That  the  enemy  succeeded  in  passing  a 
large  portion  of  his  fleet  by  the  forts  on  a  dark  night,  under  a  heavy 
fire,  is  due  to  no  fault  of  the  garrison  of  the  forts.  They  did  their 
whole  duty,  nobly  and  heroically,  and  had  they  been  seconded,  as 
they  should  have  been  by  the  defences  afloat,  we  should  not  have  to 
record  the  fall  of  New  Orleans. 

To  the  oflScers  of  my  stafl",  Avho  underwent  Aonths  of  severe  and 
arduous  labor,  collecting  supplies,  creating  resources,  with  the  most 
limited  means,  and  preparing  all  sorts  of  materials  and  munitions  of 
war  by  ingenious  makeshifts,  I  return  my  thanks.  Left  in  the  city 
wiih  a  small  force  of  badly  armed  militia,  all  opportunity  for  distinc- 
tion or  glory  was  cut  ofl",  yet  they  never  flagged  in  their  zeal  and  de- 
votion to  the  cause.  When  the  country  knows  all  that  was  done, 
and  under  what  disadvantages  it  was  accomplished,  I  feel  confident  that 
their  verdict  will  do  ample  justice  to  those  who  shared  equally  in  the 
labors  of  preparation,  while  .they  were  denied  the  glory  of  taking 
part  in  the  defence.  The  battle  for  the  defence  of  New  Orleans  was 
fought  and  lost  at  Forts- Jackson  and  St.  Philip. 

The  extraordinary  and  remarkable  conduct  of  the  garrisons  of  these 
forts,  in  breaking  out  in  open  mutiny,  after  covering  themselves  with 
glory  by  their  heroic  defence,  is  one  of  those  strange  anomalies  for 
which  I  do  not  pretend  to  account.  The  facts  are  recorded  and  speak 
for  themselves.     The  causes  will,  probabh%  never  be  known  in  full. 

For  the  detailed  accounts  of  the  bombardment  of  the  forts,  and  the 
engagements  at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  the  fleets  by  them  and  the 
batteries  at  Chalmette,  you  are  respectfully  referred  to  the  accom- 
panying reports  of  Generals  Duncan  and  Smith.  There  were  no  bat- 
teries except  at  these  two  points,  for  the  reason  that  no  guns  could  be 
procured  to  place  in  them.  I  had  frequent  occasion  to  regret  that  ic 
was  found  impossible  to  give  me  control  of  the  defences  afloat  as  well 
as  here.  A  single  controlling  head  might  have  made  all  the  resources 
.more  available  and  efficient  in  working  out  the  desired  result. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  commanding. 


(A.) 

,  Camp  Moore,  April  28th,  1862. 

IMajor  James,  Nlw  Orleans  : 

If  the  people  are  willing  to  stand  the  result,  I  will  bring  4,500  men 
down,  as  soon  as  I  ciyi  give  them  arms  and  powder,  and  stay  as  long 
as  a  brick  remains.  It  is  their  interest  I  am  endeavoring  to  consult, 
not  the  safety  of  my  men.  I  have  nothing  but  infantry  and  two  bat- 
.teries  of  field  artillery,  which  would  be  of  no   use  against  ships.     I 


34^ 


will  come  down  myself  if  tliey  wish  it,  and  bring  the  men  along  as 
fast  as  ready.  They  are  newly  raised  regiments,  and  are  being  now 
armed  and  equipped  as  you  know.  Can  begin  to  bring  them  down 
to-morrow,  if  that  is  the  desire  of  the  citizens.  Shall  I  come  down 
myself  to-night  ?  Will  do  so  if  I  can  be  of  any  assistance,  and  leave 
General  Smith  to  complete  the  organization,  and  bring  down  the  five 
regiments  wlien  ready.  The  citizens  must  decide  as  to  the  conse- 
quences.    I  wHl  come  if  it  is  wished,  cheerfully. 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  commanding. 


Cami-  Moore,  April  28th,  18G3. 

Major  James,  New  Orleans  : 

I  shall  start  down  myself  with  an  aid  now,  and  am  perfectly  ready, 
if  it  is  the  desire  of  the  city,  to  hold  it  to  the  cA  It  is  for  them  to 
say,  not  me. 

M.  LOVELL. 
Major  General  commanding. 


(B.) 


General  ^L  Loveix  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  while  I  was  in  the  city  of  New 
Orleans,  on  the  27th  of  April,  executing  your  orders  to  assist  in 
removing  the  Government  and  State  property,  and  while  the  negotia- 
tions Avere  going  on  between  the  city  authorities  and  the  Federal  offi- 
cers for  the  surrender,  I  was  informed  that  the  nature  of  the  replies 
to  the  naval  commander  Avas  such  as  to  throw  some  censure  upon 
yourself,  for  leaving  them  as  the  Mayor  styled  it,  without  military 
protection. 

I  deemed  it  my  duty  to  advise  you  of  this  immediately,  the  result 
of  which  was  the  enclosed  dispatches  from  you,  offering  to  return 
with  your  troops  and  afford  them  all  the  protection  in  your  power, 
but  that  the  responsibility  of  any  results  that  might  ensue,  must  rest 
upon  the  citizens  themselves.  I  read  your  dispatches  to  the  City 
Council,  which  was  then  in  session,  in  presence  of  Mr.  Pierre  Soule, 
who  happened  to  be  there  at  the  time.  That  gentleman,  who  seemed 
to  speak  for  the  ^Liyor  and  Council,  most  emphatically  declared  that 
you  ought  not  to  return  with  your  troops,  as  did  also  the  Mayor  and 
members  of  the  Council.  Several  of  them,  however,  declared  that 
they  would  be  glad  to  have  you  return  alone,  and  sec  matters  for 
yourself, 'to  which  effect  I  telegraphed  you.  You  came  to  the  city 
that  evening,  with  a  single  aid-de-camp,  and  went  with  me  to  the 
Mayor's  house,  where  you,  in  my  presence,  told  him  that  the  citizens 


346 

should  have  no  cause  to  say  that  rhcy  were  obliged  to  submit  for  want 
of  military  protection,  that  you  -svere  ready  andwilling  to  bring  your 
whole  command  into  the  city  within  24  hours,  and  undergo  a  bombard- 
ment with  them,  if  that  was  their  desire.  That  you  had  withdrawn  to 
enable  the  citizens  to  decide  the  matter  for  themselves,  as  it  was  they 
and  not  you,  who  had  their  families  and  property  at  stake.  In  reply, 
the  Mayor  earnestly  declined  your  offer,  stating  that  you  had  done  all 
in  your  power,  and  that  it  would  be  a  useless  waste  of  life  to  bring 
the  troops  into  the  city.  lie  also  urged  you  by  all  means,  to  retire 
from  the  city  for  your  own  safety,  and  subsequently  asked  me  to  per- 
suade you  to  leave  as  soon  as  possible,  as  he  would  be  hung  if  the 
United  States  authorities  found  you  were  at  his  house. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

L.  L.  JAMES, 
Vohinteer  Aid-de-Camp. 


IIead'^uarters  Dep't  No.  1 ,  New  Orleans. 

Hon.  John  T.  Monroe, 

Mayor  of  New  Orleans : 

Sir  :  When  the  enemy,  having  succeeded  in  passing  our  defences  on 
the  river  with  his  fleet,  anchored  abreast  the  city,  it  was  apparent 
that  the  infantry  troops  under  my  command  could  offer  no  effectual 
resistance,  and  their  presence  would  only  serve  as  a  pretext  and  jus- 
tification for  them  to  open  their  guns  upon  a  city  crowded  with  women 
and  children,  whom  it  v,-as  impossible  to  remove.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, I  determined  at  once  to  withdraw  my  troops,  and  leave  it  to 
the  citizens  themselves  to  agree  upon  the  course  of  action  to  be 
pursued,  in  relation  to  the  welfare  of  their  families  and  property.  I 
now  beg  leave  to  say,  that  if  it  is  the  determination  of  the  people  of 
the  city  to  hold  it  at  any  and  all  hazards,  I  will  return  with  my  troops 
and  share  the  danger  Avith  them.  That  my  return  will  be  followed  by 
bombardment,  is  in  my  opinion  certain,  but  if  that  is  the  conclusion 
come  to,  I  will  afford  all  the  protection  in  my  power. 
Very  respectfully, 

M.  LOVELL, 
Major  General  comraanding. 


(D.) 

.    Camp  Moore,  April  30,   1862. 
To  General  M.  Lovell, 

Commanding  Dejartmcnt  No.  1: 
General:  At  your  request,  upon  ray  return  from  Forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip,  I  accompanied  you  to  call  upon  Commodore  Whittle, 


347 

of  the  navy,  at  liis  headquarters  in  New  Orleans,  for  tlio  purpose  of 
getting  that  officer,  if  possible,  to  place  the  iron-clad  gun-boat  '•  Loui- 
siana," in  a  position  below  Foits  Jackson  and  St.  Pliilip,  from  v,hich 
she  could  enfilade  the  position  of  the  enemy's  mortar  fleet  and  drive 
them  from  it,  thereby  relieving  the  forts,  for  a  time  at  least,  from  the 
heavy  bombardment  then  going  on.  which  would  allow  Brigadier 
General  Duncan  to  make  such  repairs  as  were  necessary,  and  what 
was  equally  necessary,  give  the  garrisons  some  rest.  The  position 
designated  for  the  vessel  to  be  placed  in,  was  in  an  eddy  upon  the 
Fort  St.  Philip  side  of  the  river,  and  under  the  protection  of  the  guns 
of  both  forts,  and  entirely  out  of  line  of  the  bombardment;  and,  it 
would  require  a  change  of  position  of  the  mortar  fleet,  to  enable  them 
to  striko  the  vessel  with  shell,  if  she  could  have  been  struck  at  all. 
All  these  facts  were  fully  explained  by  yourself  to  Commodore  Whit- 
tle, and  he  was  requested,  by  you,  by  all  means,  to  place  the  vessel  in 
said  position,  even  if  she  was  lost,  as  the  maintaining  the  position  then 
held  by  your  troops  in  the  forts,  without  this  assistance,  was  merely  a 
question  of  time.  To  this  earnest  appeal,  upon  your  part,  Commodore 
Whittle  telegraphed  to  Commander  Mitchell,  of  the  fleet  stationed 
just  above  the  forts,  "  to  strain  a  point,  if  in  his  judgment  it  was  neces- 
sary, to  comply  with  your  request  and  place  the  Louisiana  in  the  posi- 
tion before  spoken  of."  As  the  result  shows,  the  request  of  Commo- 
dore W'hittle  to  Commander  Mitchell  was  not  complied  with. 

I  make  this  statement  vnluntnrily,  in  order  that,  if  ever  the  question 

of  the  defences  of  New^  Orleans  shouhl  arise,  that  you  can  have  every 

evidence  to  show  that  it  Avas  not  certainly  the  want  of  proper  exertions 

on  the  part  of  the  land  forces  which  caused  the  fall  of  New  Orleans. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  L.  JAMES, 
Volunteer  Aid-  d.e  •  Camp, 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  J.  K.  DUNCAN,  COM- 
MANDING COAST  DEFENCES. 


New  Orleans,  La., 

April  31),  1S62. 

Major  J.  G.  Pickett, 

Asst  Adft  General^  Dep^Mment  No.  1, 

Camp  Moore,  La.  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  suhmit  tlie  following  report  of  the  bombard- 
ment of  Forts  Jackson  and  St  Philip,  La.,  from  the  16th  to  the  24th 
of  April,  1862. 

About  the  27th  of  March  I  was  informed  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  E. 
Iliggins,  commanding  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  composing  a  part 
of  the  coast, defences  under  my  command,  that  the  enemy's  fleet  was 
crossing  the  bars  and  entering  the  Mississippi  river  in  force.  In  con- 
petj^uence  I  repaired  at  once  to  that  p3st  to  assume  the  general  com- 
mand of  tiie  threatened  attack  upon  New  Orleans,  which  I  had  always 
anticipated  would  be  made  from  that  quarter.  Upon  my  arrival  I 
found  that  Fort  Jackson  was  suffering  severely  from  transpiration  and 
backwater,  occasioned  by  the  excessive  rise  in  the  river  and  the  con- 
tinued prevalence  of  strong  easterly  winds.  Notwithstanding  every 
effort  which  could  be  made,  the  water  kept  daily  increasing  upon  us, 
partly  owing  to  the  sinking  of  the  entire  site,  and  to  the  natural low- 
ness  of  the  country  around  it,  until  the  parade-plain  and  casemates 
were  very  generally  submerged  to  the  depth  of  from  three  to  eighteen 
inches.  It  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty,  and  only  then  by  isolating 
the  magazines  and  by  pumping  day  and  night,  that  the  water  could  be 
kept  out  of  them, 

.As  the  officers  and  men  were  all  obliged  to  live  in  these  open  and 
submerged  casemates,  they  were  gi-eatly  exposed  to  discomfort  and 
sickness,  as  their  clothing  and  feet  were  always  wet.  The  most  of 
their  clothing  and  blankets  besides,  were  lost  by  the  fire  hereinafter 
mentioned.  Fort  St.  Philip,  from  the  same  causes,  was  in  a  similar 
condition,  but  to  a  lesser  extent. 

No  attention  having  been  previously  paid  to  the  repeated  requisi- 
tions for  guns  of  heavy  calibre  for  these  forts,  it  became  necessary  in 


349 

their  present  coniiition  to  bring  in  and  mount,  and  to  build  the  plat' 
forms  for  the  three  lO-inch  and  tlircc  8-incdi  coluuibiads,  tlie  rifled 
42-pounder,  and  the  five  10-inch  sea  coast  mortars,  recently  obtained 
from  Pensacola  on  the  evacuation  of  that  place,  together  with  the  two 
rifled  7-inch  guns,  temporarily  borrowed  from  the  naval  authorities  in 
New  Orleans.  It  was  also  tou^d  necessary  to  prepare  the  old  wat-er 
battery  to  the  rear  of  and  below  Fort  Jackson,  which  had  never  been 
completed,  for  the  reception  of  a  portion  of  these  guns,  as  well  as  to 
construct  mortar  proof  magazines  and  shell  rooms  within  the  same. 

In  consequence  also  of  the  character  of  the  expected  attack  by 
heavy  mortars,  it  wns  deemed  advisable  to  cover  all  the  main  maga- 
zines at  both  forts  with  sand  bags  to  a  considerable  depth,  to  protect 
them  against  a  vertical  fire. 

After  great  exertions,  chocrfully  made  by  both  ofliccrs  and  rrien, 
and  by  working  the  garrisons  by  reliefs  night  and  day,  this  work. was 
all  accomplished  by  13th  of  April.  No  sooner  liad  the  two  rifled 
7-inch  navy  guns  been  placed  in  position,  however,  than  orders  ar- 
rived to  dismount  one  of  them  immediately,  and  to  send  the  same  to 
the  city  at  once,  to  be  placed  on  board  of  the  iron  clad  steamer  Lou- 
isiana. I  strongly  remonstrated  against  this  removal  by  telegraph, 
but  was  informed  in  reply  that  the  orders  were  imperative,  and  that 
the  gun  must  be  sent  without  fail.  It  was  accordingly  sent,  but  with 
great  difficulty,  owing  to  the  overflow  and  the  other  causes  stated. 
The  garrisons  of  both  forts  were  greatly  fatigued  and  worn  out  by 
these  labors,  performed  as  they  were  under  pressure,  and  within  sight 
of  the  enemy,  and  owing  to  the  many  discomforts  and  disadvantages 
we  were  laboring  under,  in  consequence  of  high  water.  In  the  mean- 
time I  had  called  upon  the  general  commanding  the  .department  for 
two  regiments,  to  be  stationed  at  the  quarantine  buildings,  six  miles 
above  the  forts,  to  ret  as  a  reserve  force  and  to  co-operate  with  the 
forts,  in  case  of  a  combined  land  and  water  attack,  I  also  asked  for 
Captain  W.  G.  Mullen's  company  of  scouts  and  sharp-shooters,  to  be 
stationed  in  the  woods  below  Fort  Jackson,  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  for  the  purpose  of  picking  off  the  officers  and  men  from  the 
enemy's  vessels,  when  assuming  their  several  positions  of  attack. 
Captain  Mullen's  company,  of  about  12-5  men,  v/as  sent  down  as  re- 
quested, and  stationed  in  part  in  the  point  of  woods  below  Fort  Jack- 
son', and  the  remainder  on  the  Fort  St.  l^hilip  side,  opposite  the  raft 
obstructing  the  river.  The  Chalmette  regiment,  consisting  of  about 
500  men,  Colonel  Sysmauskie  commanding,  was  sent  to  the  quaran- 
tine. A  part  of  it  was  stationed  there,  and  company  detachments 
were  placed  at  the  heads  of  the  several  canals,  leading  from  the  river 
into  the  bays  back  of  th?  same,  to  guard  against  a  land  force  being 
thrown  in  launches  above  us. 

•  Four  steamers  of  the  river  fleet,  protected,  and  to  a  certain  extent, 
made  shot-proof  with  cotton  bulk-heads,  and  prepared  with  iron  prow.s 
to  a(^t  as  rams,  viz  :  the  Warrior,  Stonewall  Jackson,  Defiance  and 
Resolute,  commanded   by   Captains    Stephenson,   Philips,  McCoy  and 

Hooper,  respectively,  were  sent  down  to  report  to  and  co-operate  with 
mc.     The  steamers  Governor  Mcore  and  General  Quitman,  prepared 


350 

as  those  before  xnentioneJ,  and  coinmamleJ  by  Captains  B.  Konnon 
and  A.  Crant,  were  sent  down  in  like  manner  to  co-operate  \vit!i  the 
forts,  and  ram  such  vessels  of  tlie  enemy  as  might  succeed  in  passin^r 
The  nn\i\\  authorities  nl^o  sent  down  the  C.  S.  steam  rnm  >I:inassn. 
Captain  Wariy,  C  S.  Navy,  commanding.  She  was  stationed  ashen 
di,stance  above  Fort  Jackson,  with  her  steam  up  constantly,  to  act 
against  the  onemy  as  the  occasion  mi.^ht  offer.  Subsetjuently,  also, 
Cajitain  F.  13.  llenshaw,  C.  S.  Ivavy,  arrived  in  command  of  the  C. 
S.  steamer  Jackson.  'J'hcraft  of  logs  ami  chains  which  had  formerly 
been  placed  across  the  river,  having  proven  a  failure,  upon  the  rise  in 
the  stream  nnd  constant  velocity  of  the  drift-hearing  current,  a  new 
obstruction  had  been  placed  across  the  river,  opposite  Fort  Jacksoi;. 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  lliggiti?.  prior  to  his  assumjition  of  tli. 
com-nand  of  the  forts.  This  consisted  of  a  line  of  schooners  anchor- 
ed at  intervals,  with  bows  up  stream,  and  thoroughly  chained  to- 
gether amidships,  as  well  as  stern  and  stem.  The  rigging,  ratlings 
and  cable  were  left  to  trail  astern  of  these  schooners,  as  an  additional 
impediment  to  tangle  in  the  propeller  wheels  of  the  enemy.  1'his 
schooner  raft  was  .seriously  da- aged  by  the  wind  storm  on  the  10th 
and  11th  of  April,  which  parted  tlie  chains,  scattered  the  schooners, 
and  materially  affected  its  cli;^racter  and  efl'ectiveness  as  an  obstruc- 
tion. 

In  addition  to  the  wind,  the  raft  was  also  much  damaged  by  allow- 
ing some  of  t!ic  fire  barges  to  got  loose  and  drift  against  it,  through 
the  carelessness  of  those  having  them  in  charge.  A  large  number  of 
these  fire  birgcs  were  tied  to  tlie  banks  above  both  forts,  ready  at  all 
times  to  he  towed  into  thj  current  and  against  the  enemy,  for  the  dou- 
ble purpose  of  firing  his  ships,  and  to  light  up  the  river  by  night  to 
insure  the  accuracy  of  our  tire.  My  instructions  to  the  river  llect, 
under  Captain  .Stephenson,  (see  attached  document  A)  were  to  be  in 
the  stream  above  the  raft,  with  such  boats  as  had  stern  guns  in  order 
to  assist  the  forts  with  their  fire,  in  case  the  enemy  should  attempt  the 
passage,  as  well  as  to  turn  in  and  ram,  at  all  hazards,  all  such  vessels 
as  might  succeed  in  getting  above  the  raft.  He  was  also  required  to 
t;jke  entire  control  of  the  tire  barges,  (see  attached  document  13)  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy  above  the  Head  of  the  Passes,  and  to  keep  a 
watch  boat  below  every  niglit,  near  the  point  of  woods,  to  signal  the 
ajtproach  of  the  enemy.  The  accompanying  diagram  will  illustrate 
all  the  points  referred  to  in  this  report. 

'J  he  hame  instructions  were  given  to  Captains  Kenncn  and  Grant, 
and,  upfin  his  arrival,  Captain  llenshaw  was  duly  informed  of  the  ar- 
rangements made,  in  which  he  ])romised  heartily  to  co-operato.  While 
tiie  enemy  remained  at  the  Head  of  the  Passes,  twenty-two  and  a  hall' 
miles  below  the  forts,  and,  subsequently,  when  he  came  up  to  the 
Jump  or  Wilder^'s  Bayou,  the  boats  of  the  river  fleet  took  turns  in 
running  down  and  watching  his  movements.  For  a  few  nights,  also, 
at  this  time,  one  of  them  was  kept  below  as  a  guard  boat.  We  had 
telegrajf.hic  communication  besides,  down  to  within  half  a  mile  of  tho 
Jumi)S,  nine  miles  below  the  forts,  which  together  with  scouts  operat- 
ing in  the  bays  to  the  east  ami  west  of  the  river,  in  skifT'j  and  perogues, 


351 

kept  us  July  posted,  meanwhile,  of  the  enemy's  movements  below  as 
far  clo\Yn  as  the  South-west  Pass.  The  enemy  was  not,  meanwhile.  iJfe 
ii;  the  interim.  His  larger  vessels  were  worked  over  the  South-west 
bar,  after  failing  to  make  an  entrance  at  Pass  a  TOutre,  and  the  mortar 
fleet  was  brought  up  as  far  as  the  S.  W.  Pilot  Station,  where  the  mor- 
ters  were  scaled  and  afterwards  tested.  From  seven  to  thirteen  steam 
sloops  of  war  and  gun- boats,  were  constantly  kept  at  the  Head  of  the 
Passes  or  at  the  Jump,  to  cover  his  operations  below  and  to  prevent 
our  observing  his  movements  by  way  of  the  river.  By  gradual  and 
regular  ajiproaches,  he  carefully  closed  upon  the  forts,  day  liy  day, 
and  opened  the  attack  as  hereinafter  detailed. 

April  9th.  One  of  our  reconnoiterin^  steamers  was  chased  and 
followed  up  by  two  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  as  far  as  the  point  of 
woods  below  Fort  Jackson,  but  were  soon  forced  to  retire  by  a  few 
shots  from  our  batteries.  This  was  his  first  reconnoisance,  and  our  fire 
was  not  returned. 

April  13th.  Several  of  the  hostile  gun-boats  again  camt  up  to 
make  observations.  They  would  occasionally  show  themselves  singly 
or  in  pairs  above  the  point  of  woods  and  exchange  a  few  shots  with 
the  forts,  and  then  retire  again  behind  the  point.  Our  sharpshooters 
obtained  a  few  shots  on  this  occasion  but  with  very  partial  result,  owing 
to  the  lowness  of  the  surrounding  country  and  the  extreme  rise  in  the 
river.  Many  of  the  men  were  up  to  their  waists  in  water,  and,  in 
consequence,  sickness  prevailed  among  them  and  unfitted  them  for 
duty. 

The  enemy  spent  the  principal  part  of  the  day  in  firing  grape  and 
canister,  and  in  shelling  tlie  woods  to  drive  ihcni  out.  lins  was  re- 
peated the  following  day,  the  enemy  not  coming  within  range  or  sight 
of  the  forts,  but  confining  himself  to  shelling  the  woods  below.  The 
sharpshooters  were  all  diiven  out  by  this  second  day's  firing.  Our 
telegraphic  communication  below  was  also  broken  up,  as  the  wires 
were  Removed  and  many  of  the  posts  cut  and  torn  down  b}'  the  enemy. 

Tl:orc  being  no  other  point  above  or  below  where  the  sharpshooters 
could  profitably  act  in  that  capacity,  and  as  many  of  them  Avcre  unfit 
for  duly  from  exposure,  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  dispense  with  their 
services  and  send  them  to  the  city,  which  was  accordingly  done. 

It  being  of  the  highest  importance,  however,  to  keep  up  the  tele- 
graphic communication  below,  Ivicutcnarit  T.  J.  Koystcr'H  company, 
sappers  and  miners,  '22d  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  volunteered 
his  ficrviccs  with  fifjccn  men  of  his  company,  to  act  as  sharpshooters 
in  perogues  and  cover  the  operator  in  repairing  the  line  and  re-estab- 
lishing the  connocti'.n  witli  tho  forts  above  as  well  as  to  annny  the 
enemy.     T  failed,  from   the  great  difficulty  of  n  •  the 

pcroguc  (  _    in  the  dense  undergrowth  of  the  sw  .jjj^ 

below,  and  the  telegraph  and  the  sharpshooters  had  to  t;c  abandoned 
";  conscfjuencc. 

April  loth.  The  enemy  brought  up  his  whole  fleet,  extending  the 
same  from  the  Head  of    '       '  'i  the   Point  of  ^V  low  the 

forts.     Orders  were   rcj  n  to  Captain   St  i  of  the 

river  fleet  to  cause  the  fire  barges  to  be  sent  down  nightly  upon  tho 


332 

oncray ;  but  every  attempt  seemed  to  prove  a  perfect  abortion,  the 
bAr^os  being  cut  adrift  too  »oon,  so  that  they  drifted  against  the  banks 
directly  under  the  forts,  firing  our  wharves  and  lighting  us  up.  but 
obscuring  the-  position  of  the  enemy.  In  consequence  I  turned  the 
control  of  them  as  well  as  the  boats  employed  to  tow  them  into  the 
stream,  over  to  Captain  llenshaw,  the  senior  naval  ofiicer  present.  1 
also  directed  Captains  Kennon  and  Grant  to  report  to  him  for  orders, 
as  I  found  great  difficulty  in  communicating  with  or  controlling  the 
vessels  alioat.  and  directed  Captain  Stephenson,  with  his  four  boats,  to 
co-operate  with  Captain  Renshaw  in  every  possible  way.  These  boats 
of  the  river  licet,  it  seemed,  could  not  be  turned  over  directly  to  the 
immediate  command  of  naval  officers,  owing  to  certain  conditions  im- 
posed by  the  Navy  Department. 

April  16th.  From  half  past  seven  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  enemy's  gun- 
beats  came  around  the  point  repeatedly  for  observation,  but  were  in- 
varia1)ly  forced  to  retire  by  our  fire.  In  the  meantime,  he  was  locat- 
ing the  position  of  the  mortar  flotilla,  composed  of  twenty-one 
schooners,  each  mounting  one  13-inch  mortar  and  other  guns,  close 
against  the  bank  on  the  Fort  Jackson  side  and  behind  the  point  of 
woods.  At  half  past  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  enemy  ran  out  a  gun- 
boat and  fired  upon  the  fort,  under  cover  of  which  two  mortar-boats 
were  brought  out  into  the  stream.  These  boats  opened  fire  upon  Fort 
Jackson  at  five  P.  M.,  which  was  continued  for  an  hour  and  a  half, 
the  enemy,  under  our  fire,  retiring  behind  the  point  of  wood.^. 

One  fire  barge  sent  down  successfully  against  the  enemy  at  4  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  which  drifted  in  among  his  vessels  and  was  fired  upon  by  them, 
creating  considerable  movement  and  perturbation.  During  the  da\'. 
Captains  llenshaw,  Kennon,  Scant,  Stephenson  and  Hooper,  passed  in 
turns  with  their  boats  below  the  raft,  noAV  very  much  disconnected 
and  scattered,  and  exchanged  a  few  shots  with  the  hostile  gun-boats 
and  mortar-boats. 

Two  more  abortive  attempts  were  made  to  send  down  fire  Karges 
against  the  enemy  during  the  night. 

April  18th.  At  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  opened  upon  Fort  Jack- 
son, with  his  entire  mortar  fleet  of  twenty-one  vessels  and  with  rifled 
guns  from  his  gunboats.  Fifteen  of  them  were  concealed  behind  the 
point  of  woods,,  and  the  other  six  hauled  out  in  the  stream  at  an  angle 
with  them,  (see  diagram),  just  at  tke  extreme  range  of  our  heaviest 
guns.  Our  fire  disabled  one  gun-boat  and  one  mortar-boat,  causing 
those  in  the  stream  to  retire  behind  the  cover  of  the  woods.  Gener- 
ally our  shots  fell  short,  for  lack  of  elevation,  and  in  consequence  of 
the  inferiority  of  our  powder  compared  to  that  of  the  enemy.  Even 
our  nearest  gun — a  lU-inch  sea-coast  mortar — would  not  reach  his 
boats  with  tiie  heaviest  charges.  The  enemy  ceased  firing  at  7  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  having  fired  this  day  2,997  mortar  shells. 

The  quarters  in  the  bastions  were  fired  and  burned  down  early  in 
the  day,  as  well  as  the  quarters  immediately  without  the  fort.  The 
citadel  was  set  on  fire  and  extinguished  several  times  during  the  first 
part  of  the  day,  but  later,  it  became  impossible  to  put  out  the  flames, 
so  that  when  the  enemy  ceased  firing,  it  was  one  burning  mass,  great- 


353 

ly  endangering  the  magazines,  whicli,  at  the  time,  were  reported  to 
be 'on  fire.  Many  of  the  men,  and  most  of  the  officers,  lost  their  bed- 
ding and  clothing  by  these  fires,  which  greatly  added  to  the  discom- 
forts of  rhe  overflow.  The  raovtar  fire  was  accurate  and  terrible, 
many  of  the  shells  falling  everywhere  within  the  fort  and  disal)ling 
some  of  our  bc-^t  guns.  1  endeavored  to  get  (he  naval  forces  to  carry 
down  fire  barges  against  the  enemy,  so  as  to  disperse  it,  but  they  were 
all  let  go  above  the  raft,  and  with  such  a  lack  of  judgment,  that  they 
only  lodged  under  the  forts,  and  did^ot  reach  the  enemy. 

(Sec  attached  document  C.) 

None  of  the  boats  a<*tcd  as  a  ^uard-boat  below  the  raft  at  night,  so 
that  in  consequence,  the  enemy  sent  up  two.  launches  to  examine  the 
character  of  the  raft,  obstructing  the  river. 

April  19th.  The  mortar  fleet  again  openedat  G  and-a-half  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  and  the  fire  was  constantly  kept  up  throughout  the  day.  (xun- 
boats  constar.tly  came  above  the  point  during  the  day  to  engage  tho 
forts,  but  were  as  constantly  driven  back  by  our  fire.  One  of  them 
we  crippled,  which  was  towed  behind  the  point  of  Avoods.  The  ene- 
my's fire  was  excellent,  a  large  proportion  of  his  shells  falling  within 
Fort  Jackson.  The  terre-plein,  parade-plain,  pai-apets  and  j^latforms 
were  very  much  cut  up,  as  well  as  much  damage  done  to  the  case- 
mates. The  magazines  were  considerably  tlncatencd,  ami  one  shell 
passed  through  into  the  case-mates  containing  fixed  ammunition.  One 
10-inch  an<l  one  8  inch  Columbiad,  one  32  and  one  24- pounder,  and 
one  l!)-inch  siege  mortar,  disabled  in  the  main  work.  Also,  two  32- 
pounders  in  the  water  battery. 

Boml)ar<linent  continued  very  regularly  and  accurately  all  night. 
Failures  af^ain  made  in  sendin;;  down  fire  barfjes. 

April  2;ith.  Some  rain  in  the  morning.  Bombardment  constant 
throughout  the  day  with  occasional  shots  from  the  gun- boats  around 
the  point.  Wind  very  high.  No  fire  barges  sent  down  to  light  vip 
the  liver  or  distract  the  attention  of  the  enemy  at  night.  In  conse- 
quence, between  1  I  and  12  o'clock,  P.  M.,  under  cover  of  the  heaviest 
shelling,  during  the  bombardment  thus  far,  one  of  the  oncray'?  gun- 
boats came  up  in  the  darkness  and  attempted  to  cut  the  chains  of  the 
raft  and  drag  off  the  sclioonors.  A  heavy  fire  was  opened  upon  her, 
which  ciused  her  to  retire,  but  not  until  she  had  partially  accomplish- 
ed her  purpose.  The  raft  after  this  could  not  be  regarded  as  an  ob- 
8tructi<m.      The  fire  continued  uninterruptedly  all  night. 

April  21st.  Firing  continued  all  day  and  all  night  without  inter- 
ruption. Several  guns  disabled.  Disabled  guns  were  repaired,  as 
far  a<  pacricable,  as  often  as  accidents  hapjienod  to  thetn.  or  their 
platforms.  Fort  Jackson,  by  this  time,  was  in  need  of  extensive  re- 
pairs almost  every  whojc,  :  nd  it  was  with  extreme  pleasure  that  wo 
Icamod  of  the  arrival  during  the  night,  of  the  iron -clad  steamer  Lou- 
isiana, under  the  cover  of  whose  heavy  guns  wc  expected  to  make  th»- 
neces^mv  repairs. 

Ajtiil  22<1.     ]iy  the  direction  of  the  Major  General  commanding  the 
dcpaituicnt,  everything  afloat,  including  tUc   tow-boat«  and  the  entire 
control  of  the  fire-barges,  was  turned  over  to  Captain  Jno.  K.  Mitch- 
23 


354 

ell,  C.  S.  Xiivy,  commanding  the  C.  S.  Naval  Forces,  Lower  Missis- 
sippi river. .  1  also  gave  Cape.  Mitchell  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  our 
best  men  from  Ports  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  under  Lieutenants  Dixon 
and  Gaudy,  and  Capt.  Ryan,  to  serve  a  portion  of  the  guns  of  the 
Louisiana,  and  to  act  as  sharp-shooters  on  the  same  vessel.  In  an 
interview  with  Capt,  ^itchell,  on  the  morning  of  this  di*te.  I  learned 
that  the  motive  power  of  the  Louisiana  was  not  likely  to  he  completed 
within  any  reasonable  time,  and  that  in  consequence,  it  was  not  within 
the  range  of  probabilities  that  sh^  could  be  regarded  as  an  aggressive 
Bteamer,  or  that  she  could  be  brought  into  tlie  pending  action  in  that 
character.  As  an  iron-clad,  invulnerable  lloating-battery,  with  six- 
teen guns  of  the  heaviest  calibre,  however,  she  was  then  as  complete 
as  she  Avould  ever  be.  Fort  Jackson  had  already  undergone,  and  was 
still  subjected  to  a  terrible  fire  of  13-inch  mortar  shells,  which  it  was 
necessary  to  relieve  at  once,  to  prevent  the  disabling  of  all  the  best 
.guns  at  that  fort.  And  although  Fort  St.  Piiilip  partially  opened  out 
the  point  of  woods,  concealing  the  enemy,  and  gallantly  attempted  to 
'dislodge  him,  or  draw  his  fire,  he  nevertheless,  doggedly  persisted  in 
his  one  main  object,  of  battering  Fort  Jackson.  Under  these  circum- 
stances I  considered  that  the  Louisiana  could  only  be  regarded  as  a 
battery,  and  that  her  best  possible  position  would  be  below  the  raft, 
■close  in  on  the  Fort  St.  Philip's  shore,  where  her  fire  could  dislodge 
the  mortar-boats  from  behind  the  point  of  woods,  and  give  sullicient 
respite  to  Fort  Jackson,  to  repair  in  e.xtcnso.  This  position,  (X,  on 
the  accompanying  diagram),  would  give  us  three  direct  and  cross-fires 
upon  the  enemy's  approaches,  and  at  the  same  time  insure  the  Louis- 
ianr\  from  a  direct  assault,  as  she  would  be  immediately  under  the  guns 
of  both  forts.  AccQi'dingiy,  I  earnestly  and  strongly  urged  these 
views  upon  Capt.  Mitchell,  in  a  letter  of  this  date,  (copy  lost),  but 
without  avail,  as  will  be  seen  by  his  reply  attached  as  document  D. 

l>uing  so  deeply  impressed  myself,  with  the  importance  of  this 
po-sition  for  the  Louisiana,  and  of  the  necessity  of  prompt  action,  in 
•  Older  to  insure  the  success  of  the  impending  struggle,  I  again  urged 
this  subject  upon  Captain  Mitchell  during  the  latter  part  or  the  same 
day,  as  absolutely  indispensable  and  imperative,  to  the  safety  of  Kcw 
Orleans  and  tothe  control  of  the  lower  Mississippi.  My  elVorts  were 
ineflcctual  to  get  him  to  move  the  boat  from  her  original  ])Osition  above 
the  forts.  Uis  reply  is  attached  as  document  E,  in  which  he  is  sus- 
tained by  all  the  naval  officers  present,  having  the  command  of  vessels. 
I  also  addressed  him  two  other  notes  through  the  day,  the  one  in  re- 
gard to  sending  fire  barges  against  the  enemy,  and  the  other  relative 
to  keeping  a  vigilant  look  out  from  all  his  vessels,  and  asking  for  co- 
operation should  the  enemy  attempt  to  pass  during. the  night.  (See  at- 
tached document  F). 

Bombardment  continued  during  the  day  and  night,  being  at  times 
Trery  heavy.  During  the  day,  our  fire  was  principally  confined  to 
shelling  the  point  of  woods  from  both  forts,  and  with  apparently  good 
results,  as  the  mortar  fire  was  slackened  towards  evening.  The  case- 
mates Avere  very  much  cut  up  by  the  enemy's  fire,  which  was  increased 
at  night.     Ther:-  was  little  or  no  success  in  sending  down  firo  barges, 


S55 

^s  usual,  owing  in  part  to  the  condition  of  the  tow-boats  Mosher, 
Music  and  Belle  Algorinc,  in  charge  of  the  same,  explained  bj  attached 
tlocuinent  G.  This  does  not  excuse  the  neglect,  however,  as  there 
were  six  boats  of  the  river  fleet  nvailablc  for  tl\is  service,  independent 
of  those  alluded  to,  nnd  fire-barges  were  plentiful. 

April  23rd.  The  d;iy  brake  warm,  clear  and  cloudless.  No  immediate 
relief  being  looked  for  from  our  fleet,  the  entire  command  was  turned 
out  to  repair  damages  under  a  very  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy. 

The  bombardment  continued,  without  intermission,  throughout  the 
day,  but  slackened  off"  about  12  o'clock  M..  at  which  hour  there  was 
every  in<lication  of  an  exhaustion  on  the  part  of  the  mortar  flotilla. 
Hence  it  became  evident  that  the  tactics  of  the  enemy  would  neces- 
sarily be  changed  into  an  attack  with  broad  sides  by  his  larger  vessels. 
In  consequence,  these  views  were  laid  before  Captain  Mitchell,  and  he 
was  again  urged  to  place  the  Louisiana  at  the  point  before  mentioned, 
below  tlie  raft  and  near  the  Fort  St  Philip  bank  of  the  river,  to  meet 
the  emergency.  (See  attached  document  11^.  (\ptain  IMitchcirs  reply- 
is  attached  in  documents  E,  I,  J  and  K,  wherein  he  positively  declines 
again  to  assume  the  only  position  which  offered  us  every  possible 
chance  of  success,  and  Captains  Mcintosh,  linger  and  Warly.  sus- 
tain Captain  Mitchell  in  his  views  of  the  case.  Just  before  sundown, 
under  a  very  heavy  mortar  fire,  the  enemy  sent  up  a  small  boat,  and  a. 
series  of  white  flags  were  planted  on  the  Fort  St.  Philip  bank  of  the 
river,  commencing  about  38'-)  yards  above  the  lone  tree  upon  that 
shore.  (See  d'agram).  This  confirmed  my  previous  views  of  an  early 
and  different  attack  from  the  usual  mortar  bomliardraent,  especially  as 
I  presumed  that  these  flags  indicated  the  positions  to  be  taken  up  by 
the  several  vessels  in  their  new  line  of  operation.  As  nothing  was  to 
be  expected  from  the  Louisiana,  after  the  correspondcnec  during  the 
day.  I  could  only  inform  Captain  Mitchell  of  this  new  movement  of 
the  enemy,  (see  attached  document  L,)  and  particularly  impress  upon 
him  the  necessity  of  keepitig  the  river  well  lit  up  with  fire-barges,  to  act 
as  an  impediment  to  the  enemy  and  assist  the  accuracy  of  our  fire  in 
a  night  attack.  Lieutenant  Shyrock,  C.  S.  N.,  Captain  Mitchell's  aid, 
canif  on  shore  alwnt  9  o'clock  P.  M.,  to  inform  me  that  the  Louisiana 
wouM  be  ready  for  service  by  the  next  evening — the  evening  of  the 
24th. 

I  informed  him  that  time  was  evcrythirg  to  us,  and  that  to-morrow 
would,  in  all  probability,  prove  too  late.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Iliggins, 
warmly  sec  mled  my  opinion  and  warned  Lieutenant  Shyrock,  that  the 
final  battle  was  imminent  within  a  few  hours. 

In  regard  to  lighting  the  river,  Lieutenant  Shyrock,  staled  thai 
fire-barges  would  be  regularly  sent  down  throughout  the  night,  every 
two  hours  ;  and  as  none  had  been  sent  up  to  that  hour,  (9  1-2  o'cloclt 
P.  M..)  he  left,  informing  mc  that  this  matter  would  be  attended  to  na 
soon  as  he  arrived  on  boanl. 

To  my  utter  surprise,  not  one  single  fire-barge  was  sent  down  the 
river,  notwithstanding,  at  any  hour  of  this  night.  It  was  impossible 
for  us  to  send  them  down,  as  everytjjing  afloat  had  been  turned  over  to 
Captain    Mitchell,  by   order  of  the   Major  General  commanding,  and 


356 

tie  fire-barges  .ind  tho  boats  to  to^v  them  into  the  stream,  .were  excru- 
ajvt'lj  under  his  control.  In  consequence  of  this  criminal  neglect^ 
the  river  renviined  in  complete  darkness  throughout  the  entire  night. 
The  bombardment  continued  all  night  and  grew  furious  towards  morn- 
ing. 

April  24th.  At  3  1-2  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  larger  vessels  of  the  enemy 
were  observed  to  be  in  motion,  nnd  as  we  presumed,  to  take  up  the 
positions  indicated  by  the  small  flags  planted  by  them  on  the  previous 
evening.  1  then  made  my  last  nnd  final  appeal  to  Captain  Mitchell,  a 
copy  of  which  is  attached  as  document  M. 

The  Louisiana  wris  still  in  her  old  position  above  Fort  St.  Pliilip, 
surrounded  by  her  tenders,  on  board  of  whicli  was  the  majority  ol  her 
cannonicrs  and  crew, — and  the  other  boats  of  the  fleet  were  generally 
at  anchor  above  her,  excepting  the  Jackson,  Captain  Renshaw,  C.  S. 
N..  commanding,  which  had  been  sent  the  day  before  at  my  suggestion, 
to  prevent  the  landing  of  forces  through  the  canals  above.  The  Mc- 
Bae  lay  near  and  above  the  Louisiana,  and  the  steam  ram  ?»Ianassa, 
with  her  tender,  remained  in  her  constant  position  above  Fort  Jaekson, 
both  wiih  steam  up  and  ready  for  immediate  action.  The  enemy  evi- 
dently anticipated  a  strong  demonstration  to  be  made  against  him  with 
fire  barges.  Finding  upon  his  approach,  however,  that  no  sueli  de- 
monstration was  made,  and  that  tlie  only  resistance  oflcred  to  his  pas- 
sage, was  the  expected  fire  of  the  forts — the  broken  and  scattered 
raft  being  then  no  obstacle — 1  am  satisfied  that  he  was  suddenly  in- 
spired, for  the  first  time,  to  run  the  gauntlet  at  all  hazards,  although' 
not  a  p:irt  of  his  original  design.  Be  this  as  it  may,  a  rapid  ru.^ii  was 
made  by  him  in  columns  of  twos  in  echelon,  so  as  not  to  interfere 
with  each  others  broads^ides.  The  mortar  fire  was  furiously  increased 
npon  Fort  Jackson,  and  in  dashing  by,  each  of  the  vessels  delivered 
broadside  after  broadsi<le,  of  shot,  shell,  grape,  canister,  and  sphericai 
case,  to  drive  the  men  I'rom  our  guns. 

Both  the  officers  and  men,  stood  up  manfully  under  this  galling  and 
fearful  hail,  and  the  batteries  of  both  forts  were  promptly  opened  at 
their  longest  range,  with  shot,  shell,  hot  shot,  and  a  little  grape,  and 
most  galhintly  and  rapidly  fought,  until  the  enemy  succeeded  in 
getting  above  and  beyond  our  range. 

The  absence  of  light  on  the  river,  together  with  the  smoke  of  the 
guns,  made  tho  obscurity  so  dense  that  scarcely  a  vessel  was  visilde, 
and  in  consequence,  the  gunners  were  obliged  to  govern  their  firing 
entirely  by  the  flashes  of  the  enemy's  guns.  I  am  fully  satisfied  that 
the  enemy's  dash  was  successful,  mainly  owing  to  the  cover  of  dark- 
ness, as  a  frigate  and  several  gun-boats  were  forced  to  retire  as  day 
■was  breaking.  Similar  results  had  attended  every  previous  attempt 
made  by  the  enemy  to  pass  or  to  reconnoitre,  when  we  had  sufficient 
light  to  fire  with  accuracy  and  efl'ect.  The  passage  was  of  short 
duration,  having  been  accojuplished  between  3  1-2  A.  M.,  and -daylight^ 
under  a  very  rapid  and  heavy  pressure  of  steam.  Of  the  part  taken 
in  ihis  action  by  tlie  Louisiana,  iNianassa,  and  the  other  vessels  com- 
posing the  co-operatini/  naval  forces,  I  cannot  speak  with  any  degree- 
of  certainty,  excepting  that  the  Louisiana  is  reported  to  have  fired 


357 

Ijut  twelve  shots  during  tlie  engageincnt.  Cut  to  the  heroic  and 
gallant  manner  in  which  Cnptain  linger  handlerl  ami  fought  the  McRae, 
we  can  all  bear  evidence.  The  Defiance,  Captain  McCoy,  commanding, 
was  the  only  vessel  saved  out  of  the  river  fleet. 

Shortly  after  daylight,  the  Manassa  was  observed  drifting  down  by 
the  forts.  She  had  been  abandoned  and  fired,  and  was  evidently  in  a 
-sinking  condition. 

The  Mcllae  was  considerably  cut  up  in  this  action  by  Bhot  and 
grape. 

The  Resolute  wna  run  on  shore  about  a  mile  above  the  for' s  where 
she  hoisted  a  white  flag,  but  by  the  prompt  action  of  the  McRac,  she 
■was  prevented  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  encm}-.  She  was 
subsequently  wrecked  and  burned.  The  Warrior  was  run  ashore  and 
iired  on  the  point  just  above  Fort  St.  Philip. 

Nothing  was  known  by  us  of  the  movements  of  the  Stonewall  Jack- 
son, the  (rovernor  Moore  or  the  General  Quitman.  The  steamers 
Mosher,  Music  and  Belle  Algerine,  in  charge  of  the  fire  barges,  were 
all  destroyed.  So  was  also  the  Star.  The  heroic  courage  displayed 
by  the  officers  and  men  at  both  forts,  was  deserving  of  abetter  succesB, 
•especially  after  the  fortitude  which  tbey  constantly  exhibited  through 
the  long  tedium  of  a  protracted  bombardment,  unsurpassed  for  its 
terrible  accuracy,  constancy  and  fury. 

Thirteen  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  out  of  tv/enty- three,  succeeded  in 
getting  by,  viz  :  the  Hartford,  Pensaeola,  Richmond,  Brooklyn,  Min- 
sissippi,  Oneida,  Iroquois,  Cayuga,  Wissahickon,  Sciota,  Kinco, 
Kallalnliii  and  i  inola.  In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  and  to  Verona, 
4ind  such  other  vessels  as  were  sunk,  there  were  six  gun-boats  and 
one  frigate  engaged  in  this  action,  besides  the  mortar  flotilla.  Heavy 
chains  were  flaked  aloKg  the  sides  of  the  most  of  these  vessels  as  an 
iron  proof  protection.  The  extent  of  the  damage  which  was  done  to 
the  enemy  we  had  no  means  of  ascertaining.  The  vessels  which 
passed,  all  came  to  an  anchor  at  or  below  the  quarantine,  six  miles 
above  the  forts,  where  the}'  remained  until  about  Ii>  o'clock,  A  M., 
v.'hen  they  all  passed  slowly  up  the  river,  with  the  exception  of  two 
gun-boats,  left  at  the  quarantine  as  a  guard. 

Sliortly  after  the  fleet  alx)ve  got  under  weigh,  a  gun-boat  from  bclo"V7 
Made  her  appearance  with  a  flag  wf  truce,  and  vcrlially  demanded  the 
surrender  of  the  forts,  in  the  name  of  Commander  I).  D.  Porter,  U.  S. 
Navy,  commanding  the  mortar  flotilla,  under  the  penalty  of  rc-opening 
the  bombarrlment,  which  had  ceased  shortly  after  the  pa.^sage,  in  case  of 
refusal.  Tiie  demand  was  rejected  and  the  bombardment  was  re-openefl 
ibout  12  o'clock,  M.  It  continued  until  near  snn<l<)wn,  when  itcoasei 
altogether.  The  entire  mortar  fleet  and  all  the  other  vcs.aels,  excepting 
f-ix  gun-boats,  then  got  under  weigh  and  passed  down  the  river  and 
out  of  sight,  und'^r  full  steam  and  sail.  A  vigilant  lookout  was  kept 
up  above  and  below  during  the  night,  but  all  remained  quiet.  So  long 
as  the  mortar  fleet  remained  below,  the  posi.ion  wherein  the  Louisiunft 
could  render  the  greatest  .-issistance  to  the  forts,  was  the  one  below 
Fort  St.  Pbilip  hereinbefore  mcntionel.  where  the  fire  from  her  batt»- 
Tics  could  dislodge  the  eneiny  from  behind  the  point  of  woods.    - 


$5S 

Af^er  the  inoitar  fleet  hai  left,  liovcvcr,  and  when  the  eiioniY  liai? 
^ot  in  force  above  the  forts,  the  question  -was  materially  changed,  in 
consequence  of  the  fact  that  all  of  our  heavy  guns  at  hoth  forts  had 
fcecif  mounted  to  bear  upon  the  lower  approaches,  and  not  on  those 
aA)ove. 

The  most  effective  position  which  the  Louisiana  cauld  then  take  as 
a  battery,  was  in  the  bight  above  Fort  Jiickson.  where  her  guns  could 
protect  our  rear,  and  sweep  the  long  reach  of  river  above,  towards  ihe 
quarantine.  This  would  still  insure  her  safety,  as  she  would  be  under 
the  guns  of  both  forts.  This  ia  evident  l)y  a  reference  to  the  point 
(XX)  on  the  diagram. 

In  several  personal  interviews,  and  by  coirespondcnce  with  Captain 
Mitchell  on  this  date,  (see  attaclied  decuments  N^  0,  P,  Q,  :md  R,) 
I  requested  him  during  the  morning  of  the  24th,  while  the  mortar  fleet 
was  below,  to  place  the  Louisiana  below  the  raft  and  dislodge  it ;  and 
later  in  the  day,  when  the  mortar  fire  was  nearly  exhausted,  to  place 
her  in  the  position  (XX)  above  Fort  Jackson,  to  assist  in  repelling  an 
atttick  from  the  vessels  above. 

During  the  day  she  was  in  an  unfit  conditioa  to  assume  either  posi- 
tion, for  the  reasons  given  by  Captain  Mitchell  in  his  letters  to  me. 
The  intoxicated  volunteers  referred  to,  were  none  of  my  men,  nor  did 
they  get  their  liquor  at  the  forts,  as  there  was  none  on  haml  there- 
daring  the  bombardment,  excepting  the  small  supplies  of  hospital 
stores  in  the  medical  department. 

April  2oth.  Kg  attack  attempted  during  the  day  by  tlie  enemy, 
either  from  a!)Ove  or  bclavr'.  The  gini-boats  from  the  quarantine  and 
ftom  the  point  of  woods  belov/,  occasionally  showed  themselves  for 
observation,  l)ut  v.ithout  firing.  During  the  day  all  the  principal 
guns  that  would  admit  of  it  at  both  forts,  were  prepared  at  once  so  as 
to  traverse  in  a  full  circle,  and  bear  above  or  below  as  necessity  might 
require.  Some  of  the  2-1 -pounder  barbette  guns  at  Fort  Jackson^. 
were  also  renlaced  by  guus  of  heavier  calibre,  to  bear  on  tho  river 
above. 

Permission  was  granted  by  the  enemy  to  th®  Confederate  States 
Steamer  McKae,  to  proceed  to  New  Orleans,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  with 
the  wounded.  Availing  our.selvcs  uf  the  offer  of  Captain  Mitchell, 
the  seriously  wounded  of  both  forts  were  sent  on  board  of  her.  A* 
it  was  late  when  the  wounded  were  all  gotten  on  board,  the  Mellae 
did  not  get  oil'  until  tho  next  morning.  Still  failed  during  the  <lay  in 
welting  Captain  Mitchell  to  place  the  Louisiana  in  the  bight  above 
Fort  Jackson,  where  she  could  act  against  the  enemy  from  above. 
One  of  the  raft  schooners  Avas  burned  during  the  night  to  light  the 
river,  and  all  remained  quiet. 

April  'i6th.  A  gun-boat  with  a  white  flag,  dropped  down  from  tlic 
quarantine  to  escort  the  Mellae  on  her  mission,  Tho  Mellae  did  not 
agai.i  return  to  the  forts.  Four  of  the  enemy's  steainers  were  in  sight 
at  the  quarantine  at  dawn.  A  gun-boat  occasionally  showed  herself 
boloAV  to  reconnoitre.  In  the  direction  of  Bird  Island,  and- back  of 
the  salt  works,  a  large  steam  frigate  and  an  ordinary  river  steamer 
acppeared  in  sight,  the  latter  working  her  way  up  the  bay  behind  Fort 


359 

St.  Philip,  apparently  towurds  the  quarantine.  During  the  daj, 
Captain  Mitchell  comiriunicated  with  the  enemy  above,  under  a  flag  of 
truce,  and  learned  that  the  city  had  surrendered,  and  that  the  (confed- 
erate States  steara  ram  Mississippi  had  been  burned  by  our  authori- 
ties. The  wreck  of  tlie  floating  dock  or  battcrv  drifted  by  the  forta 
about  4  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  liOuisiana  was  not  placed  in  the  position  required  of  her  during 
the  day,  Captain  Mitchell  promising  to  put  her  there  tho  next  day, 
the  27th.  Another  raft  schooner  burned  for  light,  and  all  quiet 
during  the  night.      No  shots  exchanged  during  the  day. 

A])ril  27.  At  daylight,  the  steamer  which  had  b^en  observed  the 
day  before  working  her  way  up  in  the  back  bays,  was  in  view,  inimo- 
diately  in  the  rear  of  Fort  St.  Philip,  and  near  the  mouth  of  the  Fort 
Bayou.  A  frigate  and  five  other  vessels  were  also  in  sight  toward.^ 
Bird  Island,  one  of  which  was  seen  working  her  way  up  the  bay. 
From  ten  to  thirteen  launches  were  visable  near  the  boat  back  of  Fort 
St.  Philip,  by  means  of  which  troops  were  being  landed  at  the  quar- 
nntine  above  us.  About  12  o'clock,  M  ,  one  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats 
from  below,  made  her  appearance"  under  a  flag  of  truce,  bearing  a 
written  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  forts,  signed  by  Commander 
David  D.  Porter,  U.  S.  N.,  commanding  mortar  flotilla.  (See  attached 
document  S.)  The  forts  refused  to  surrender.  (See  attache<l  document 
T  )  About  4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  French  man-of-war  Milan,  Captain 
Clouot  commanding,  passed  up  to  the  city,  after  asking  and  obtaining 
permission  to  do  so.  The  position  of  the  Louisiana  still  remained 
unchanged. 

So  far,  throughout  the  entire  bombardment  and  final  action,  the 
spirit  of  the  troops  was  cheerful,  confident  and  courageous.  They 
were  mostly  foreign  enlistments,  without  any  great  interests  at  stake 
in  the  ultimate  success  of  the  revolution.  A  reaction  set  in  among 
them  during  the  lull  of  the  25th,  26th  and  27th,  when  there  was  no 
other  excitement  to  arouse  them  than  the  fatigue  duty  of  repairing 
our  damages,  and  when  the  rumor  was  current  that  the  city  had  sur- 
rentlercd,  and  was  in  the  han<ls  of  the  enemy.  No  reply  had  been 
received  from  the  city  to  my  dispatches,  sent  l)y  couriers,  on  the  24th 
and  25th,  by  means  of  which  I  could  reassure  them  They  were  still 
obedient,  but  not  buoyant  and  cheerful.  In  consequence,  I  endeavored 
to  revive  their  courage  and  patriotism,  by  publisliing  an  order  to  both 
garrisons,  attached  hereto  as  document  U.  I  regret  to  state  that  it 
did  not  produce  the  dc.'^ired  eff'ect.  Everything  remained  quiet,  how- 
ever, until  midnight,  when  the  garrison  at  Fort  Jackson  revolted  M| 
mass,  seize<l  upon  the  guard  and  posterns,  reversed  the  ficM  ]»icc^, 
cniiimanding  the  gates,  and  commenced  to  spike  the  guns,  while  many 
of  the  men  were  If'avinj'  the  fort  in  the  meantime  under  arms.  All 
this  occurred  as  suddenly  as  it  was  unexjiected. 

The  men  were  mostly  draAvn  up  under  arms,  and  positively  refused 
to  fight  any  longer,  besides  endeavoring  by  force  to  bring  over  the 
St.  Mary's  cannoniers,  and  such  other  few  men  as  remained  true  to 
their  cause  and  country.  The  mutineers  stated  that  the  officers 
intended  to  hold  out  as  long  as  possible,  or  while  the  provisions  lasted, 


360 

and  then  IjIow  up  the  forts  an<l  every  thinf^  in  them  ;  that  the  city 
hatl  surrendered,  and  that  there  was  no  further  use  in  hghtiiiij;  ;  that 
the  enemy  were  about  to  attack  by  hmd  and  water  on  three  siiloa  at 
once,  and  that  a  longer  defence  would  only  prove  a  butchery.  Every 
endeavor  was  made  by  the  oflRcers  to  repress  the  revolt,  and  to  bring 
the  men  to  reason  and  order,  but  without  avail.  Officers  upon  the 
ramparts  were  fired  upon  by  the  mutineers  in  attempting  to  put  a  stop 
to  the  spiking  of  the  guns, 

I  am  greatly  indebted  to  the  Reverend  Father  Nachonfor  his  efforts 
to  quell  the  mutineers,  through  some  of  whom  he  learned, that  the  re- 
volt had  been  discussed  among  them  for  two  days,  and  yet  there  was 
no  one  man  tfuc  enough  to  communicate  the  fact  to  his  officers. 
Signals  also  were  said  to  have  been  passed  between  the  forts  during 
the  night  and  while  the  mutiny  was  at  its  height.  Being  so  general 
among  the  men,  the  officers  were  helpless  and  powerless  to  act. 

Under  these  circumstances,  there  was  but  one  course  left,  viz.,  to 
let  those  men  go  who  wished  to  leave  the  fort,  in  order  to  see  the 
number  left  and  to  ascertain  Avhat  reliance  could  be  placed  upon  them. 
About  one-half  of  the  garrison  left  immediately,  including  men  from 
every  company,  e.Kcepting  the  St.  Mary's  cannoniers,  volunteers  and 
regulars,  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  and  among  them 
many  of  the  very  men  who  had  stood  last  and  best  to  their  gun.^ 
throughout  the  protracted  bombardment  and  the  final  action  when  the 
enemy  passed.  It  was  soon  evident  that  there  was  no  fight  in  the  men 
remaining  behind,  that  they  were  completely  demoralized,  and  that  no 
faith  or  reliance  could  be  placed  in  the  broken  detachments  of  com- 
panies left  in  the  fort. 

In  the  meantime,  Ave  were  totally  ignorant  of  the  condition  of  affairs 
at  Fort  St.  Philip,  and  as  all  of  our  small  boats  had  been  carried 
away  by  the  mutineers,  we  could  not  communicate  Avith  that  fort  till 
the  next  morning.  As  the  next  attack  upon  the  forts  Avas  likely  to 
be  a  combined  operation  by  land  and  water,  and  as  Fort  St.  Philip  Avas 
the  point  most  threatened,  from  the  nature  of  the  country  around  it 
and  from  the  character  of  the  Avork  itself,  Avith  narrow  and  shallow 
ditches  and  but  little  relief  to  the  main  Avork,  it  Avas  self-evident  tliat 
no  reduction  could  be  made  in  its  garrison  to  strengthen  that  of  Fort 
Jackson,  even  Ff  all  the  men  there  remained  true.  In  fact,  two  addi- 
tional regiments  had  been  asked  for  at  Quarantine,  in  anticipation  of 
such  an  attack,  to  act  as  a  reserve  to  strengtiien  the  garrisons  of 
both  forts.  With  the  enemy  above  and  below  us,  it  will  be  apparent 
at  once  to  any  one  at  all  familiar  with-  the  surrounding  country,  that 
there  was  no  chance  of  destroying  the  public  property,  blowing  up  the 
forts  and  escaping  with  the  remaining  troops.  Under  all  these  hu- 
miliatins:  circumstances,  there  seemed  to  be  but  one  course  open  to  us. 
viz.,  to  await  the  approach  of  daylight,  communicate  then  Avith  the 
gunboats  of  the  mortar  flotilla  below,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  and  ne- 
gotiate for  a  surrender  under  the  terms  offered  us  by  Commander 
Porter,  on  the  iBch  inst.,   and  Avhich   had  previously   been   declined. 

April  2Sth.  A  sm  ill  boat  A^as  procured,  and  Lieutenent  Morse,  Post 
Adjutant,  sent  over  to  convey   the  condition  of   affairs  to  Fort  St, 


3G1 

Philip,  as  well  as  to  Captain  Mitchell,  on  the  Louisiana,  Captain 
Mitchell  and  Lieutenant  Shyrock,  C.  S.  N.,  came  on  shore  and  dis- 
cussed the  whole  question  ;  after  which  they  left,  remarking  that  they 
would  go  on  board  and  endeavor  to  attack  the  enemy  abovo  at  the 
Quarantine,  notwithstanding  that  reasons  had  been  given,  from  time 
to  time,  for  not  moving  this  vessel  into  her  proper  position,  only  a  few 
hundred  yards  distant.  Captains  Squires  and  Bond,  Louisiana  artil- 
lery, and  Lieutenant  Dixon,  commanding  the  company  of  C,  S.  regu- 
lar recruits,  came  on  shore  shortly  afterwards  from  Fort  St.  Philip, 
and  concurred  with  us,  that,  under  the  circumstonces,  we  could  do 
nothing  else  than  surrender,  as  they  were  not  at  all  confident  of  the 
garrison  there,  after  the  unlocked  for  revolt  at  Fort  Jackson,  although 
none  of  their  men  had  left  or  openly  revolted. 

For  these  reasons,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  down  to  communicate 
with  the  enemy  below,  and  to  carry  a  written  oflfer  of  surrender  under 
the  terms  offered  on  the  2Gth  instant.  (See  attached  Document  V.) 
This  communication  brought  up  the  Harriet  Lane  and  three  other  gun- 
boats opposite  the  fort,  with  white  flags  at  the  fore,  white  flags  being 
displayed  from  the  yards  of  the  tlag-masts  at  both  forts,  while  the  Con- 
federate flags  waved  at  the  mast-heads.  While  negotiations  were 
pending  on  the  Harriet  Lane,  it  was  reported  that  the  steamer  Louis- 
iana, with  her  guns  protruding,  and  on  fire,  was  drifting  down  the 
river  towards  th*  fleet.  As  the  wreck,  in  descending,  kept  close  into 
the  Fort  St.  Philip  shore,  the  chances  were  taken  by  the  enemy  with- 
out changing  the  position  of  his  boats. 

The  guns  of  the  Louisiana  were  discharged  at  random  as  she  floated 
down,' and  the  boat  finally  blew  up  near  Fort  St.  I'hilip,  scattering 
Its  fragments  everywhere  within  and  around  the  fort,  killing  one  of 
our  men  and  wounding  three  or  four  others. 

Captain  Mcintosh,  C.  S.  N.,  who  had  been  severely  wounded  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty  on  the  night  of  the  enemy's  passage,  and  who 
was  then  lying  in  a  tent  at  that  fort,  was  nearly  killed  also.  As  far 
as  I  could  learn,  however,  the  Louisiana  was  fired  prior  to  the  time 
that  the  enemy's  boats,  with  white  fljigs,  came  to  an  anchor  abreast  of 
the  forts  to  negotiate.  She  was  tired  in  her  first  and  original  position, 
without  any  change  of  any  kind  since  her  arrival  at  the  forts. 

The  terms  of  the  capitulation  are  attached  hereto  as  Document  Vv, 
in  addition  to  which  Commander  Porter  verbally  agreed  not  to  haul 
down  the  Confederate  fla^:  or  hoist  the  Federal,  until  the  oflicers  should 
get  away  from  the  forts. 

The  officers  of  Fort  Jackr^on  and  the  St.  M;iry"s  c:innoniers,  left 
about  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  for  the  city,  on  board  of  the  U.  S.  gun -boat 
Kennebec,  and  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  2(Hh  in  New  Orleans. 
The  oflTiccrs  of  Fort  St.  Philip,  were  sent  up  the  next  day,  and  all  the 
men  subsequently,  within  a  few  days,  as  transportation  could  be  fur- 
nished, excepting  the.  men  Avho  revolted  on  the  night  of  the  27th, 
many  of  whom  enlisted  with  the  enemy.  Upon  my  arrival  in  the  city, 
I  found  that  the  enemy's  vessels  wore  lying  off  the  town,  and  that  no 
flag,  excepting  that  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  on  the  City  Hall,  was 
risible  upon  the  shore.     I  also  learnc<l  that  FlagUiTicer  Farragut,  had 


563 

directed  it  to  l>e  hauled  down  au-1  tlic  U.  S.  flag  hoisted  in  its  stead, 
upon  the  penally  of  shellinfi;  the  city  within  forty-eight  hours,  if  the 
demand  vas  not  complied  with,  and  that  he  had  warned  the  city 
authorities  to  remove  the  women  and  children  within  the  time  speci- 
fied. 

I  therefore  deemed  it  my  duty  to  call  at  once  upon  the  Mayor  at  the 
City  Hall,  and  inform  him  of  the  fate  of  the  forts  helow,  which  I  did 
Hccordingly.  Learning  there,  from  one  of  his  aids,  that  the  Major 
(ieneral,  commanding  the  department,  was  still  in  the  city,  I  called 
upon  him  in  person,  and  vcrhally  reported  the  main  ineidents  of  thd 
bomhardmsnt,  the  passage  of  the  enemy  and  the  capitulation  of  the 
forts. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith,  the  report  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  E.  Higgins,  22nd  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  commanding 
Forts  Jackson  and  St.  PJiilip,  and  those  of  the  different  company  and 
hattery  commanders,  together  with  the  Surgeon's  report?  of  the  killed 
and  wounded.  The  report  of  Colonel  Sysmauski,  commanding  the 
Clialmette  regiment  at  Quarantine,  has  not  been  received  by  me,  so 
that  I  am  unable  to  report  upon  his  operations. 

I  fully  endorse  the  just  praise  bestowed  in  the  enclosed  reports, 
upon  all  the  otticers  at  both  forts,  and  warmly  return  them  my  thai.ks. 
TJicy  all  distinguished  themselves  by  cool  cournge,  skill  and  patriotism 
throughout  the  entire  bombardment,  and  by  the  patient  fortitude  with 
which  they  bore  the  several  trying  ordeals  of  water,  fire,  and  the  ener- 
getic fury  of  the  enemy's  protracted  and  continuous  fire. 

I  must  also  bear  testimony  to  the  cheerful  courage  and  prompt  and 
willing  obedicMice  with  which  the  men  performed  their  duties  through- 
out the  bombardment,  and  up  to  the  sad  night  when  they  took  the  rash 
arid  disgraceful  step  of  rising  against  their  officers,  breaking  through 
all  discipline,  and  leading  to  such  disastrous  and  fatal  consequences. 
I  can  charitably  account  for  it  only  on  the  grounds  of  /!:reat  reaction, 
after  the  intense  physical  strain  of  many  weary  da^'s  and  nights  of 
terrible  fire,  daring  which  they  were  necessarily  suiijccted  to  every 
privation  from  circumstances  bej^ond  our  control,  but  which  they  had 
not  the  moral  courage  to  share  and  sustain  with  their  otlicers,  all  of 
wjiom  were  subjected  to  the  same  hardships  in  every  particular. 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Iliiririns,  commandin;]:  the  forts,  my  thanks 
are  especially  due  for  his  indefatigable  labors  in  preparing  his  heavy 
butteries,  preparatory  to  the  attack,  almost  in  the  face  of  the  enemy, 
an  1  for  tlie  quiet,  skillful,  and  judicious  manner  in  which  he  caused 
them  to  be  fought.  He  was  present  everywhere,  and  did  his  whole 
duty  well  and  thoroughly.  Captain  M.  T.  Squires,  Louisi;ina  regi- 
ment of  artillery,  as  senior  officer  in  charge  of  Fort  St.  Thilip,  under 
orders  of  J^ieutenant  Colonel  Higgins,  commanding,  fully  sustained 
every  anticipation  entertained  of  his  gallantry,  skill  and  efficiency. 

During  the  first  day's  bombardment,  when  Captain  Anderson  was 
wounded,  my  aid-de-camp.  Lieutenant  Wm.  M.  Bridge^,  Louisiana 
artillery,  volunteered  to  command  the  10  inch  columbiads  on  the  main 
work,  and  I  return  him  ray  thanks  for  the  gallant  and  efficient  manner 
in  which  he  fought  them  during  the  rest  of  the  action.    ^ 


363 

I  t.'iko  great  pleasure  in  making  personal  mention  of  my  volunteer 
aids,  Captain  Wm.  Y.  Scjraour  ami  Captain  Y.  R.  Smith,  for  the 
valuable  assistance  which  they  rendered  me  at  all  times.  My  thanks 
are  also  due  to  Doctors  Bradbury  and  Foster,  who  volunteered  their 
services  to  assist  Assistant  Surgeons  L.  Burke  and  C.  D.  Lewis,  at 
Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  respectively,  and  most  efficiently  did 
they  aid  in  th^s  department.  Doctor  Bradbury  remained  at  Fort  Jack- 
son until  its  fall,  and  was  paroled.  Doctor  Foster,  at  my  request,  ac- 
companied the  wounded  soldiers  to  the  city  on  the  C.  S.  steamer  Mc- 
Rae. 

Messrs  Fulda,  Stickney  and  sergeant  Y.  R.  Poindexter,  4th  ISIis- 
sissippi  volunteers,  telegraphic  operators,  rendered  the  most  valuable 
services  in  keeping  open  our  communication  above  and  below,  under 
the  most  dangerous  and  difficult  circumstances.  Although  Ave  have 
failed  in  our  mission  of  keeping  the  enemy's  fleet  from  pas.-ing  the 
forts,  and  have  been  subjected  to  the  deep  humiliation  of  surrendering 
the  charge  entrusted  to  our  keeping,  to  the  enemies  of  our  country, 
I  must  nevertheless  state,  in  common  justice  to  myself  and  those  un- 
der my  command,  that  to  the  very  best  of  our  ability,  with  the  moans 
at  our  disposal,  our  whole  duty  was  performed  faithfully,  honestly  and 
fearlessly.  If  all  had  to  be  gone  through  with  again,  under  similar 
events  and  circumstances,  I  know  that  we  should  be  forced  to  the  same 
results  and  consequences. 

Great  a^  the  disaster  is,  it  is  but  the  sheer  result  of  that  lack  of 
cheerful  and  hearty  co-operation  from  the  defences  afloat,  which  wo 
had  every  right  to  expect,  and  to  the  criminal  negligence  of  not  light- 
ing up  the  river  at  night,  when  the  danger  was  imminent,  and  the 
movements  of  the  enemy  absolutely  known,  almost  to  the  hour  of  the 
iinal  attack.  E.vcept  for  the  cover  afforded  by  the  obscurity  of  the 
darkness,  I  shall  always  remain  satisfied  that  the  enemy  Avould  never 
have  succeeded  in  passing  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  K.  DUNCAN, 
Brig,adur  General,  late  commanding  Ctost  Drfmccs. 


Ni:\v  Orle.\.ns,  La  ,  May  13,  J8C2. 

Major  J.  O.  PrcKK.TT, 

Assistant  Adjutant  Gcn'-ral,  Ik^nrhm nl  vV(».  1, 

Camp  Moore,  Ln.  : 

Major:  In  addition  to  the  foregoing  report.  I  wish  to  add.  that 
upon  the  arrival  of  the  paroled  enlisted  men  from  Forts  Jackson  and 
St.  Philip  in  the  city,  I  en  Icavored  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  see 
that  they  were  properly  cared  for,  until  such  time  as  they  could  be  sent 
out  of  town.  As  far  as  it  could  be  done,  they  were  paid  in  part  for 
the  tiuio  duo,  and  anangcmcnts  were  also  made  through  tlic  city  safety 


364 

committee,  to  have  them  boarded  and  lodged  temporarily,  all  with  the 
view  of  preventing  them  from  going  over  to  the  enemy  through  dis- 
tress and  St  rvation.  In  this,  1  was  very  much  assisted  by  Captain 
]\[.  T.  Squires  and  1st  Lieutenant  L.  B.  Taylor,  Louisiana  regiment 
of  artillery.  Notwithstanding  that  they  were  thus  amply  provided 
for,  scores  of  them  have  been  daily  going  over  to  the  enemy  and  en- 
listing since,  until  now  there  are  but  a  very  few  left  faom  either  fort, 
not  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  Although  1  really  did  think,  at  the 
time  of  the  surrender,  that  some  few  of  the  men  were  loyal,  the  fact.«? 
which  have  since  come  to  light,  have  perfectly  satisfied  me  that  nearly 
every  man  in  both  forts,  was  thoroughly  implicated  and  concerned  in 
the  revolt  on  the  night  of  the  27th  of  April,  with  the  exception  of  the 
company  of  St.  Clary's  cannoniers,  composed  mostly  of  planters. 
Very  respectfully,  vour  ob't  serv't, 

J.  K-.  DUNCAN, 
Brigidkr  General,  late  com7nanding  Coast  Defences. 


(Document   A.) 


Fours  Jack.'^on  and  St.  Philip,  La.,       } 
April  6tk,  I8G:.  i 


To  Captain  Stevenson," 

Commanding  River   Fled,  Present : 

Captain  :  Keep  your  boats  in  constant  readiness  at  all  times  for 
the  enemy's  approach.  Should  he  attack,  all  of  3^our  fleet  must  ])e 
kept  above  the  raft ;  and  such  of  your  boats  as  have  stern  guns,  should 
lay  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  above  the  raft,  and  without  the  field  of 
our  fire,  and  use  these  guns  against  the  enemy. 

Should  any  boat  of  the  enemy,  by  any  means  get  above  the  raft, 
you  must  instantly  ram  it  with  determination  and  vigor,  at  all  risks 
and  at  every  sacrifice.  All  signal  mast  head  lights,  should  be  kept 
extinguished,  at  night,  or  never  hoisted.  Trusting  to  your  known 
energy,  and  to  the  great  expectations  anticipated  of  the  river  fleet,  by 
your  friends,  I  have  every  confidence  that  your  whole  duty  will  be 
thoroughly  performed. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  ob'd'  serv't, 
(Signed)  J.  K.   DUNCAN,  Brig.  Gen. 


365 
(Document  B.) 


IlKADQUARItRS  FoRTS  JaCKSON   AND  St.   PlIILlP, 

April  mh.  18G2. 


To  Captain  Jno.  A.  SxEPiiKi'ssoN, 

Commanding  River  Fled,  Present  : 

Captain  :  Keep  one  of  your  boats  constantly  below,  night  and  day, 
opposite  tlic  wooded  point,  -wbcrc  you  can  watch  the  raovontenta  of  the 
enemy.  Signal  us  his  approach  and  the  number  of  vessels  seen 
coming  up,  and  give  me  a  copy  of  the  signals  for  our  government  at 
the  forts. 

I  wish  you  to  take  the  entire  control  of  the  fire-rafts,  and  you  will 
be  assisted  therein  by  the  steamers  Star,  Algerinc  and  such  other 
boats  as  I  can  procure  from  the  city,  for  the  purpose. 

Your  own  knowledge  of  the  river  and  the  currents,  will  enable  you 
to  set  them  adrift  at  such  time  as  your  judgment  vfarrants. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  ob'd't  serv't. 

J.  K.  DUNCAN,  Brig.  Gc7i., 

Commanding  Coast  Defences, 


(Document  C.) 

Jackson,  April  \mh,  1862. 


To  Colonel  IIir.GlNa, 


Df.ar  Sir:  Yours  juat  received.  The  fire  bargo  was  sent  down,  as 
I  8U])posed.  by  your  order.  Capt.  Grant  accompanied  me  to  select  a 
proper  place  to  let  her  go.  She  was  fired  by  my  order,  but  was  not 
aware  that  ehc  was  too  close  to  the  fort,  but  the  eddy  current,  after 
firing,  probably  brought  her  into  ^oo  close  proximity  to  the  fort.  I 
regret  the  affair  was  an  abortion. 

Respectfully.  • 

(Signed)  T.  B.  IIENSIIAW,  C.  8.  N. 


86G 
(Document  C.) 


C.  S.  Steamer  Louisiana,  off  Fokt  Jack.sox,  ) 

Jpril  22nd,  1SG2.  \ 

To  Gcncnil  J.  K.  Duncan, 

*  Commanding  Coast  Defences,  Fort  Jackson  : 

Genkr al:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours, 
of  this  d.ite,  asking  me  to  pLice  the  Louisiana  in  position  below  the 
raft,  this  evening,  if  possible. 

This  vessel  was  hurried  away  from  New  Orleans  before  the  steam 
power  and  batteries  were  ready  for  service. 

Without  a  crew,  and  in  many  respects  very  incomplete,  and  this 
condition  of  things  is  but  partially  remedied  now.  She  is  not  yet  pre- 
pared to  offer  battle  to  the  enemy,  but,  should  he  attempt  to  pass  the 
forts,  w^e  will  do  all  we  can  to  prevent  it,  and  it  was  for  this  purpose 
only,  that  she  was  placed  in  position  where  necessity  might  force  her 
into  action,  inadequately  prepared  as  she  is  at  this  moment. 

We  have  now  at  work,  on  board,  about  fifty  mechanics,  as  well  as 
her  own  crew  and  those  from  other  vessels,  doing  work  essential  to 
the  preparation  of  the  vessel  for  battle.  Under  those  circumstances, 
it  would,  in  my  estimation,  be  hazarding  too  much  to  place  her  under 
the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

Every  effort  is  being  made  to  prepare  her  for  the  relief  of  Fort 
Jackson — the  condition  of  w4ii(h  is  fully  felt  by  me,  and  the  very  mo- 
ment 1  can  venture  to  face  our  enemy  with  any  reasonable  chance  of 
success,  be  assured.  Genera!,  I  will  do  it,  and  trust  that  the  result 
will  ehow  you  that  I  am  now  pursuing  the  right  coarse. 
I  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  ob't  servant, 
(Signed)  JNO.  K.  MITCHELL, 

Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces,  Lower  Miss. 


P.  S. — The  Jackson,  with  launch  No.  3,  will  go  up  to  !hc  Quaran- 
tine this  afternoon,  to  Avatch  the  enemy,  as  suggested  in  your  note 
this  morning. 

Respectfully,  etc., 
(Signed)  J.  K.  M. 


367 
(Document  E.) 


C.  S.  Steamer  Louisiana,  near  Furt  Jackson, 

ylpril  23d,  1802. 

To  General  J.  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defines,  Fort  Jachscn  :  ■ 

General:  On  the  receipt,  last  niglit,  of  voiir  sccoml  communica- 
tion of  jesterdnj's  (!atc,  asking  me  to  place  this  vessel  under  tlie  tire 
of  the  enemy,  1  consulted  the  commanding  officers  of  the  C.  S.  Naval 
vessels  present,  on  the  suhject,  and  herewith  annex  a  copy  of  their 
opinion,  sustaining  my  own  views  on  the  subject. 

I  feel  the  importance  of  affording  relief  to  your  command,  as  soon 
as  possible,  bjut,  General,  at  the  same  time,  1  feci,  and  1  knoir,  the 
importance  to  the  safety  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St,  Pliilip,  and  the  city 
of  New  Orleans,  of  having  this  vessel  in  proper  condition  before  seek- 
ing an  encounter  with  the  enemy.  If  he  seeks  one,  or  attempts  the 
passage  of  the  forts  before  this  vessel  is  ready,  T  shall  meet  him,  ho\T- 
ever  unprepared  I  may  be. 

We  have  an  additional  force  of  mechanics  from  the  city,  this  morn- 
ing, and  I  hope,  that  by  to-morro  v  night,  the  motive  power  of  the 
Louisiana  will  bo  ready,  an  I  in  the  mean  time,  her  battery  will  be  in 
place,  and  other  preparations  will  be  completed,  so  as  to  enable  her  ti. 
act  against  the  enemy.  When  ready,  j'ou  will  be  immodiately  advised; 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  ob'd't  serv't. 
(Signed)  »  JNO.  K    MITCHELL, 

I  Com.manding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces,  Low:i-  3Fiss. 


(Document  E.) 


C.   S.   Steamer   Loi'rsr\N\.       ) 
Near   Fort  Jackson,   Jpril  22,    ISG2.  \ 

Two  communications  having  this  day  been  received  from  Brigadier 
General  Duncan,  (herewith  att:iched  marked  No.  1  and  3,  and  also 
the  answer  of  Commander  J.  K.  Mitchell  No.  I,  marked  No.  2,)  re- 
questing that  the  Louisiana  bo  placed  in  position  below  the  raft  in  tho 
river,  near  Fort  Jackson,  a  consultation  was  held  by  Commander  J, 
K.  Mitchell  with  Commander  Mcintosh  and  Li  utenants  Commanding 


368 

Huf^pr  and  Warly,  •who  fully  sustained  the  views  of  Commander 
Mitchell,  as  expiessed  in  his  reply  (marked  No.  2,)  declining  to  com- 
ply \vith  the  request  of  Brigadier  General  Duncan. 

(Sinned,)  0.  F.  MclNTOSII,  Com'd'g,  C.  S.  X. 

(Signed.)  T.  B.  IIUGER,  Liiut.  Coindg. 

(Signed,)  N.  S. WARLY,  Litvt.  Conid'g. 

(Signed,)  GEORGE  S.  SIIYROCK, 

Li' lit.  C  S.  N.,  aid  to  commanding  ojfi  cr. 


(Document  F.) 

C.   S.   Steamcr  Louisiana,      ) 
Fort  Jackson,  April  22,   18G2.  J 

General  J,  K.  Dlncan, 

Cominanding  Coa^.t  Di fences  at  Fort  Jackson  : 

Geni;ral:  Your  two  notes  of  this  date  have  been  received.  A 
fire  has  been  ordered  to  be  built  below  St.  Philip,  as  you  requested, 
except  that  it  will  be  on  the  beach;  and  a  raft  will  be  kept. ready  to 
fire  and  turned  adrift,  as  you  requested,  near  Fort  Jackson,  in  the 
event  of  the  apprehended  attack  being  made  by  the  enemy  to  night. 
I  shall  also  direct  a  vigilant  lookout  to  be  kept  by  all  the  vessels,  and 
to  co-operate  with  you  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  forts  ;:t  every 
hazard. 

Your  request  respecting  the  report  of  the  bad  condition  of  the  en- 
gines of  the  Mother,  will  claim  my  attention  as  soon  as  possible. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Y'our  Bbedic  nt  servant. 
(Signed;)'  JOHN  K.   MITCHELL, 

Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lowr  Mississippi, 


(Document  G.) 

C.   S.   Steamf.r  Louisiana,      ) 
Off  Fort  Jackson,  April  22,   18G2.  S 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  Hugf.r,  Assistant  Engineer ,  As- 
sistant Engineer ,  (\  S  Stcar/.cr  McRae,  off  Fort  Jackson  : 

Gkn'tlkmf.n  : 

The  steamers  "  Mosber"'  and  Belle  Algerine,  having  been  represented 
as  being  unfit  for  service,  you  will  please  to  examine  them  carefully, 
without  delay,  and  report  to  me  in  duplicate  their  condition.      In  the 


369 

performance  of  this  duty,  please  state  the  cause  of  any  damage  you 
may  discover,  ^vith  such  recommendations  as,  in  your  judgment,  you 
may  deem  proper. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  K.  MITCHELL, 
Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lower  Mississippi  river. 

Captain  Iluger  ■will  fill  up  the  blanks  with  the  names  of  the  two 
engineers  he  thinks  most  suitable  for  the  service,  belonging  to  the 
McKae. 

C.  S.  Steamer  Louisiana,  April  22,  1862, 
Samlel  Brock, 

Senior  Engineer,  McRae  : 

Sir  :  In  obedience  to  your  order,  we  have  held  a  survey  upon  the  ■ 
steamer  Belle  Algerine  and  the  tug  Moshcr.  The  latter  has,  we 
think,  loosened  the  after-bearing  of  her  shaft.  This  we  can,  I  think, 
obviate  in  a  few  liours.  The  Belle  Algerine  leaks  badly  in  the  bows 
from  two  holes  knocked  in  her,  the  Captain  reports,  while  workin" 
in  the  raft,  and,  also,  while  landing  guns  at  Fort  St.  Philip.  This  wc 
can  also  remedy,  and  are  now  doing  so.  I  trust  by  to-night  both . 
vessels  will  be  serviceable. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  T.  B.  HUGER, 

Commanding  McRae. 

To  John  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defences  : 

General*  Above  you  will  see  the  report  on  the  vessels  reported^ 
to  you  as  unfit  for  service.      I  send  it  for  your  information. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  K.  MITCHELL, 
Command'ng  C.  S.  Naval  Forces. 


(Document  H.) 

Fort  Jackson,  La., 
April  23,  1862. 

Captain  J.  K    Mitchell, 

Commanding  Naval  Forces  Lower  Mississippi  river. 

Captain  :  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  mortar  practice  of  the  enemy 
against  Fort  Jackson  must  be  nearly  exhausted,  and  that  there  is 
cvoy  indication  that  the  enemy,  as  the  next  plan  of  attack,  is  about 
to  move  his  large  vessels  to  the  point  of  woods,  and  open  upon  u? 
nfith  his  broadsitles.  One  of  the  large  vessels  has  already  been 
brought  up  and  placed  in  position.  Should  the  above  prove  to  be  the 
24 


370 

case,  it  is  imperatively  and  absolutely  necessary  that  tlic  batteries  of 
the  Louisiana  should  be  brought  into  action,  as  Avell  as  those  of  Forts 
Jackson  and  St.  Philip. 

A  proper  position  for  the  Louisiana  Avould  be  on  the  Fort  St.  Philip 
side,  a  short  distance  below  the  raft  and  close  to  the  shore,  which  will 
give  us  three  direct  and  cross  fires  upon  the  point  of  attack. 

Earnestly  calling  your  attention  to  this  subject,  and,  as  you  can  sec 
from  your  position  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  can,  conse- 
quently, know  when  to  act, 

I  remain,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  K.  DUNCAN, 
Brigadier  Gcwral  commanding  Coast  Defends. 


(Document  I.) 

C.  S.  Steamer  Louisian,v.       ) 
Near  Fort  JacksoxV,  April  2Sd,  1862.  3 

'To  Brigadier  General  J.  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defences,  Fort  Jackson  : 

General  :  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  this  dace,  in  which  you 
express  your  belief  that  the  enemy  is  about  to  change  his  place 'of 
attack,  and  open  the  broadside  of  his  larger  ships  on  the  forts,  and  in 
Avhich  you  make  certain  suggestions  as  to  the  position  to  be  taken  by 
this  ship. 

By  reference  to  a  letter  of  mine  to  you  of  yesterday's  date,  and  of 
(No.  1)  of  this  date,  you  will  be  apprised  of  the   condition   of  this 
ship.     Should  an  attack  be  made  as  anticipated,  I  shall  be  governed  by 
(Circumstances,  and  do  all  I  can  against  the  enemy. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  K.  MIICPIELL, 
Commatiding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Loiosr  Mississippi. 


(Document  J.) 

C.  S.  Steamer  Louisiana,      ) 
Off  Fort  Jackson,  April  "ZU,  1862.  J 

To  General  J.  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defences,  Fort  Jackson  : 

Sir  :   I  enclose  herewith  a  copy  of  a  communication  received  on  the 
21st  inst.,  from  Captain  Stevenson,  from  which  you  will  perceive  that. 


371 

not'^ltlistaiiding  General  Lovcll's  order  to  him,  this  letter  so  qualifies 
my  authority  as  to  relieve  me  from  all  responsibility  as  to  the  move- 
meats  of  the  vessels  of  the  river  fleet  under  his  command. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant. 
(Signed,.)  JOHN  K.  iMITCHELL, 

Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Jj^ifyr  Munmppi 


(Document  K.) 

River  Defence,  C.  S.  Gl'n-Boat  Warrior,      > 
Fort  Jackson,  April  21:^,  1863.  } 

Commander  J,  K.  Mitchell, 

Confederate  Stales  Navy : 

Sir  :  I  am  in  receipt  of  an  order  frqip  Major  General  M.  Lovell, 
dated  2()th  instant,  in  which  I  am  directed  to  place  myself  and  my 
Trhole  command  at  this  point,  under  your  orders.  Every  officer  and 
man  on  the  river  defence  expedition,  joined  it  with  the  condition  that 
it  was  to  bo  independent  of  the  navy,  and  that  it  would  not  be  gov- 
erned by  the  regulations  of  the  navy,  or  be  commanded  by  naval 
officers.  In  the  face  of  the  enemy  I  will  not  say  more.  I  will  co-operate 
with  you,  and  do  nothing  without  your  approbation^  anil  will  endeavor 
to  carry  out  your  wishes  to  tho  best  of  my  ability,  but  in  my  own 
way,  as  to  the  details,  and  the  handling  of  my  boats.  But  I  expect 
the  vessels  under  my  charge  to  remain  as  separate  command.  All  orders 
for  their  movements  addressed  to  me  will  be  promptly  executed  if  prac- 
ticable, and  I  undertake  to  be  responsible  for  their  efficiency  when 
required.  I  suppose  this  is  all  that  is  intended  by  the  order  of  Major 
General  Lovell,  or  that  will  be  expected  from  me  by  you. 
Rei^pectfullv  yours,  &c., 

JOHN  A.  STEVENSON, 
Senior  Captain  roinmanding  River  Fleet  at  Fort  Jacksm:. 

Our  signals  should  be  made  to  assimilate  at  once.  Captain  Renshaw 
and  myself  couH  arrange  this  if  you  wish,  as  no  doubt  but  you  are 
greatly  fatigued,  and  still  much  to  do  and  arrange.  Anything  I  can  d«, 
rely  on  it  being  done  promptly  and  cheerfully. 

Yours,  (fee, 
(Signed,)  ■'. .   .v.  S. 


372 
(Document  L.) 

Fort  Jackson,  LourstAXA,      ) 
April  23d,  1862.  ^ 

Captain  J.  K.  Mitchell, 

Commanding  Naval  Forces  Loiccr  Mississippi  River  : 

Captain  :  The  enemy  has  just  sent  up  a  small  boat,  and  planted  a 
series  of  white  flags  on  the  Fort  St.  Philip  side,  commencing  about 
350  yards  above  the  lone  tree.  It  is  the  probable  position  of  his  ships 
ill  the  new  line  of  attack,  which  in  my  opinion,  he  contemplates  for 
attacking  Fort  Jackson  with  his  large  vessels.  As  you  may  not  have 
seen  this  operation,  I  furnish  you  with  the  information.  Please  keep 
the  river  well  lit  up  with  fire  rafts  to-night,  as  the  attack  may  be  made 
at  any  time. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,).  »        J.  K.  DUNCAN, 

Brigadier  General  commanding  Coast  Defences. 


(Document  M.) 

Fort  Jackson,  Louisiana,      / 
3  1-2  o'clock,  A.  M.,  April  Z4th,  1862.  J 

Captain  J.  K.  Mitchell, 

Commanding  Naval  Forces  Loioer  Mississippi  River  : 

Captain  :  As  I  anticipated,  and  informed  you  yesterday,  the  enemy 
are  taking  up  their  position  at  the  present  moment,  with  their  large 
ships  on  the  Fort  St.  Philip  shore,  to  operate  against  Fort  Jackson, 
They  are  placing  themselves  boldly,  with  their  lights  at  their  mast- 
heads. You  are  assuming  a  fearful  responsibility,  if  you  do  not  come 
at  once  to  our  assistance  with  the  Louisiana  and  the  fleet.  I  can  say 
no  more. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  K.  DUNCAN, 
Brigadier  General. 


373 
(Document  N.) 

C.  S.  Gunboat  Louisiana,  ^ 

Nkar  Fort  St.  ruiLip,  > 

Jpril24th,  1862.  ) 

To  Brigadier  General  J.  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defences,  Fort  Jackson  : 

General:  On  returning  to  the  Louisiana,  I  find  that  wc  have  no 
tender  on  whose  steam-power  -we  can  rely,  and  many  of  the  volunteer 
troops  on  board  of  the  W.  Burton  are  intoxicated.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, as  well  as  the  exhausted  condition  of  our  own  crew,  and 
excessive  difficulty  in  handling  the  vessel,  will  prevent  our  taking  trie 
position  at  least  to-day,  that  I  proposed,  and  was  arranged  between  us 
this  forenoon. 

I  will,  however,  as  you  suggested  in  your  communication,  take  up  a. 
position  above,  to  protect  the  approaches  in  that  direction. 

Having  no  adequate  motive  power  of  our  own,  it  will  be  an  easy 
matter  for  the  enemy's  vessels  tliat  have  it,  to  take  up  such  a  position 
that  our  guns  cannot  reach  him  for  want  of  elevation,  or  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  him.  I  will,  however,  do  all  I  can  to  keep  bim  back 
from  above. 

The  McRae  has  lost  her  nine-inch  gun  :  of  course,  wc  cannot  expect 
much  assistance  from  her. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  ob'd't  serv't, 

J.  K.  MITCHELL, 
Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lower  Miss 


(Document  0.) 

C.     S.     St.  AMER    LoJ  ISIANA,  ) 

Fort  St.  Bhiup,  ^Ipril  24ih,  1862.  ] 


To  General  J.  K.  Duncan, 

Commanding  Coast  Defcnas^  Fort  Jackson  : 

Genf.ral:  Your  2d  and  3d  notes  of  this  date,  ar*'  at  hand.  We 
are  in  a  helpless  condition  for  the  want  of  tug-boats.  The  W.  Bur- 
ton is  crippled,  and  the  Landis  also,  and  the  gun-boat  Defiance  will 
not  do  anything  for  us.  If  she  comes  within  my  reach,  I  will  deprive 
ier  Captain  of  his  command,  by  force,  if  necessary. 


374 

The  anchor  we  have  down  cannot  purchase,  and  we  arc  afraid  tO" 
ship  it,  to  move  about  three  hundred  yards  higher  up,  where  we  can 
be  better  secured. 

We  shall  probably  remain  where  wc  arc,  and  do  all  we  can  to  defeat 
the  enemy,  should  he  attack  us  again. 

It  will  be  out  of  our  power,  I  am  afraid,  to  light  up  the  bank  below 
St.  Philip  to-night,  or  to  set  adrift  fire-boats,  as  none  are  at  hand,  and. 
they  have  all  disappeared,  apparently. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  serv't, 

JNO.  K.  MITCHELL, 
Commandiii ;  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lov)cr  Bliss . 


(Document  P.) 


Fort  Jackson,  Louisiana,  )' 

April  2ith,  1862.  § 

To  CapLaiii  J.   K.  Mitchku., 

Commanding  C.   S.  Naval  Forces  Lower  Miss.: 

Captain  :  From  all  we  can  see  and  leara,  the  enemy,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  or  two  gun-boats,  has  passed  up  the  river,  so  that  there- 
will  be  no  use  in  changing  your  present  position,  to  one  further  above. 
I  regret  to  learn  the  condition  of  the  volunteer  troops  on  board  the- 
W.  Burton.  This,  together  with  the-  exhausted  condition  of  your 
crew,  will  prevent  your  taking  up  the  position  beloAV,  which  was  agreed* 
upon  this  morning,  for  the  present.  You  may  be  able  to  take  it  up,, 
however,  when  your  crew  recover  from  their  fatigue,  and  when  yoit. 
are  able  to  control  the  irregularities  of  the  volunteers. 

Yery  respectfully, 

Your  ob'd't  servant, 

J.  K.  DUNCAN, 
Commanding  Coast  Defences ^ 


375 
(Document  Q.) 

FoiiT  Jackson,  Louisiana,  ) 

April  24th,  1862.  \ 

To  Captain  J.  K.  Mitchell, 

Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lower  Miss.: 

Captain:  As  I  have  no  boats  of  any  kind,  I  must  ask  of  you  to 
light  up  the  river  with  fire  barges  to-night,  if  it  possibly  lies  in  your 
power.  The  absence  of  light  greatly  impairs  the  accuracy  and  effec- 
tiveness of  our  fire  upon  the  enemy. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  K.  DUNCAN,  Brig.  Gen., 

Commanding  Coast  Defences. 


(Document  R.) 

Fort  Jackson,  ^;)r?7  24^/i,   1862. 

To  Captain  J.  K.  Mitchell, 

Commanding  C.  S.  Naval  Forces  Lower  Miss. : 

Captain:  The  lower  schooner  will  be  lighted  by  firing  her  from  a 
row  boat  from  Fort  St.  Philip,  at  early  dusk.  As  this  light  dies  away, 
the  next  one  above  will  be  fired,  and  so  on,  all  night. 

Unless  you  can  better  yourself  materially,  I  would  not  advise  any 
movement,  on  your  part,  from  your  present  position,  owing  to  all  the 
adverse  circumstances  mentioned  in  your  letter. 

In  regard  to  the  Defiance,  the  authority  over  her  which  I  formerly 
had,  has  been  transferred  to  you ;  but  we  will  freely  lend  you  any  as- 
sistance which  you  may  require,  in  deposing  her  commander,  or  in 
exercising  your  authority  over  her. 

Keep  a  vigilant  look  out  for  another  attack  to-night,  when  we  will 
mutually  support  each  other,  and  do  all  that  we  possibly  can. 

Capt.  Squires  has  been  directed  by  Col.  lliggins  to  furnish  you  such 
assistance  as  you  may  require. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  ob'd't  servant, 

J.   K.  DUNCAN,  Brig.  Gen., 

Commanding  Coast  Defence.. 


376 

(Document  S.) 


Mississippi  River,  April  26th,  1862,  ) 
U.  S.  Steamer  Harriet  Lane.      \ 

To  Colonel  Edward  IIiggins, 

Commanding  Confederate  Forces, 

In  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  : 

Sir  : — "When  I  last  demanded  the  surrender  of  Forts  Jackson  and 
St.  Philip,  I  had  no  positive  assurance  of  the  success  of  our  vessels  in 
passing  safely  the  batteries  on  the  river.  Since  then  I  have  received 
communications  from  Flag-Officer  Farragut,  who  is  now  in  possession 
of  New  Orleans.  Our  troops  are  or  will  be  in  possession  of  the  pro- 
minent points  on  the  river,  and  a  sufficient  force  has  been  posted  out- 
side of  the  Bayous  to  cut  off  all  communications  and  prevent  supplies. 
No  man  could  consider  it  dishonorable  to  surrender,  especially  under 
these  circumstances,  when  no  advantages  can  arise  by  longer  holding 
out,  and  by  yielding  gracefully,  he  can  save  the  further  effusion  of 
blood. 

You  have  defended  the  forts  gallantly,  and  no  more  can  be  asked  of 
you.  I  feel  authorized  to  offer  you  terms  sufficiently  honorable  to  re- 
lieve you  from  any  feeling  of  humiliation.  The  officers  will  be  per- 
mitted to  retire  on  parole  with  their  side  arms,  not  to  serve  again  until 
regularly  exchanged.  All  private  property  will  be  respected.  Only 
the  arms  and  munitions  will  be  surrendered  to  the  U.  S.  Government, 
and  the  vessels  lying  near  the  forts.  No  damage  must  be  done  to  the 
defences.  The  soldiers  also  will  be  paroled,  and  be  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  their  homes,  giving  up  their  arms. 

I  am  aware  that  you  can  hold  out  some  little  time  longer,  and  am 
also  aware  of  the  exact  condition,  as  reported  to  us  by  a  deserter, 
which  convinces  me  that  you  will  only  be  inflicting  on  yourself  and 
those  under  you  unnecessary  discomforts  without  any  good  result 
arising  from  so  doing. 

Your  port  has  long  been  closed  to  the  world,  by  which  serious  in- 
jury has  been  experienced-by  many  loyal  citizens.  J  trust  that  you 
will  not  lend  yourself  to  the  further  injury  of  their  interests,  where 
it  can  only  entail  calamity  and  bloodshed,  without  any  possible  hope 
of  success  or  relief  to  your  forts. 

Your  surrender  is  a  mere  question  of  time,  which  you  know  is  not 
of  any  extent,  and  I  therefore  urge  you  to  meet  my  present  proposi- 
tion. By  doing  so  you  can  put  an  end  to  a  state  of  affairs  which  will 
only  inflict  injury  upon  all  those  under  you,  who  have  strong  claims 
•apon  your  consideration. 

I  remain,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  DAVID  R.  PORTER, 

•  Commanding  Mortar  Fleet. 


377 
(Document  T.) 

Headquarters  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 

April  27th,  1862. 

To  Commodore  D.  R.  Porter, 

U.  8.  Navy,  commanding  Mortar  Fleet : 

Sir: — Your  letter  of  the  26th  inst.,   demanding  the   surrender   of 
these  forts,  has  been  received. 

In  reply  thereto,  I  have  to  state  that  no  official  information  has 
been  received  bj  me,  from  our  own  authorities,  that  the  city  of  New 
Orleans  has  been  surrendered  to  the  forces  of  Flag  Officer  Farragut, 
and  until  such  information  is  received,  no  proposition  for  a  surrender 
can  for  a  moment  be  entertained  here. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD   niGGINS, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  commandirg. 


(Document  U.) 

Fort  Jackson,  La.,  April  27th,  1862.  -^ 

Soldiers  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  : 

You  have  nobly,  gallantly  and  heroically  sustained,  with  courage 
and  fortitude,  the  terrible  ordeals  of  fire,  -water  and  a  hail  of  shot  and 
shell,  wholly  unsurpassed  during  the  present  war.  But  more  remains 
to  be  done.  The  safety  of  New  Orleans  and  the  cause  of  the  Soutliern 
Confederacy — our  homes,  families  and  everything  dear  to  man — yet 
depend  upon  our  exertions. 

We  are  just  as  capable  of  repelling  the  enemy  to-day  as  we  were 
before  the  bombardment.  Twice  has  the  enemy  demanded  your  sur- 
render, and  twice  has  he  been  refused. 

Your  officers  have  every  confidence  in  your  courage  and  patriotism, 
and  feel  every  assurance  that  you  will  cheerfully  and  with  alacrity 
obey  all  orders,  and  do  your  whole  duty  as  men,  and  as  becomes  the 
well  tried  garrisons  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip.  Be  vigilant, 
therefore,  and  stand  by  your  guns,  and  all  will  yet  be  well. 
(Signed,)  J.  K.  DUNCAN, 

Brigadier  General, 
Commanding  Coast  Defences. 


378 
(Document  V.) 

Headquarters  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  ) 

April  2m,  1862.      \ 

To  Commodore  David  R.  Porter, 

United  States  Navy, 

Commanding  Mortar  Fleet : 

Sir  : — Upon  mature  deliberation,  it  has  been  decided  lo  accept  the 
terms  of  surrender  of  these  forts,  under  the  conditions  offered  by  you 
in  your  letter  of  the  26th  inst.,  viz.,  that  the  officers  and  men  shall 
be  paroled — officers  retiring  with  their  side  arms.  We  have  no  control 
over  the  vessels  afloat. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD  HIGGINS, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  commanding. 


(Document  W.) 

U.  S.  Steamer  Harriet  Lane,  ^ 

Forts  Jackson  and  St,  Philip,       > 

Mississippi  River,  April  28th,  1862,  ; 

By  articles  of  capitulation,  entered  into  this  the  twenty-eighth  day 
of  April,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-two,  between  David 
D.  Porter,  Commander  tJ.  S.  Ncxvy,  commanding  the  U.  S.  Mortar 
Flotilla,  of  the  one  part,  and  Brigadier  General  J,  K.  Duncan,  com- 
manding the  coast  defences,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  Higgins, 
commanding  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  of  the  other  part,  it  is  mu- 
tually agreed  : 

1st,  That  Brigadier  General  Duncan  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hig- 
gins shall  surrender  to  the  Mortar  Flotilla,  Forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip,  the  arms,  munitions  of  war,  and  all  the  appurtenances  thereunto 
belonging,  together  with  all  public  property  that  maybe  under  their 
charge. 

2d.  It  is  agrjod  by  Commander  David  D.  Porter,  commanding  the 
Mortar  Flotilla,  that  Brigadier  General  Duncan  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Higgins,  together  with  the  officers  under  their  command,  shall  be  res- 
pected. Furthermore,  that  they  shall  give  their  parole  of  honor  not 
to  serve  in  arras  against  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  until 
they  are  regularly  exchanged.     • 

3d.  It  is  further  agreed  by  Commander  David  D.  Porter,  command- 
ing the  Mortar  Flotilla,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  Government, 
that  the  non-commissioned  officers,  privates  and  musicians  shall  be 
permitted  to  retire  on  parole,  their  commanding  and  other  officers  be- 
coming responsible  for  them,  and  that  they  shall  deliver  up  their  arms 


379 

and  accoutremc-iits  in  tlieir  present  condition,  provided  tliat  no  ex- 
penses accruing  from  the  transportation  of  the  men,  shall  be  defrayed 
by  tlie  Government  of  the  United  States. 

4th.  On  the  signing  of  these  articles  by  the  contracting  parties, 
the  fort  shall  be  formally  taken  possession  of,  by  the  U.  S.  Naval 
forces,  composing  the  mortar  ilotilla.  The  Confederate  flag  shall  be 
lowered  and  the  flag  of  the  United  States  hoisted  on  the  flag-staffs  of 
Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip. 

In  agreement  of  the  above,  v»e,  the  undersigned,  do  hereunto  set  our 
hands  and  seals. 

DAVID  D.  PORTER, 

Coimnainhr  Blortar  Flotilla. 
W.  B.  RENSIIAW, 

Commander  U.  S.  N. 
W.  W.  WAINRIGlir, 
Lieut,  commnnding  U.  S.  Steamer  Harriet  Lane. 
J.  K.  DUNCAN, 
Brig.  Gen.  commanding  Coast  Defences. 
EDWARD  IIIGGINS, 
Lieut.  Col.  C.  S.  A.,  commanding  Forts  Jjclcson  and  St,  Philip^ 
Witnessed  by 
Ed.  T.  Nichols, 

Lieut,  commanding  U.  S.  Gunboat  Winona. 
C.  H.  Russell, 

Lieut,  commanding  U.  S.  Gunboat  Kennebec^ 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  ED.  HIGGINS. 


Headquarters  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  ) 

Jpril  27,   1862.      J 

Lieutenant  Wm.  M.  Bridges, 

A.  A.  A.  General,  2d  Brigade,  Department  No.  \,  N.  0.  : 

Sir:.  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  on  Friday,  the  18th  instant' 
the  naval  force  of  the  United  States,  which  has  been  for  some  weeks 
in  the  river,  making  preparation  for  an  attack  on  these  forts,  commenced 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Jackson. 

Fire  from  their  mortar  fleet  was  opened  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  The 
force  employed  by  the  enemy  against  us  consisted  of  twenty-one 
mortar  vessels  and  a  fleet  of  about  twenty-one  steam  vessels  of  war, 
carrying  more  than  two  hundred  guns  of  the  heaviest  calibre.  The 
mortar  vessels,  when  they  opened  fire,  were  all  concealed  from  our 
view  save  six,  which  took  position  in  sight  of  the  forts,  and  within 
our  longest  range.  These  we  soon  forced  to  retire.  They  joined  the 
rest  of  their  fleet  behind  the  point  of  woods,  and,  concealed  from 
view,  renewed  their  fire. 

Orders  had  been  issued  to  the  officers  and  men  of  my  command  to 
retire  to  the  casemates  of  the  forts,  the  moment  the  bombardment 
commenced.  The  order  being  obeyed,  nothing  was  left  for  us  to  do, 
but  receive  the  furious  storm  of  shell  which  was  hailed  upon  us.  Our 
citadel  was  soon  destroyed  by  fire.  All  the  buildings  around  and  in 
connection  with  the  fort,  shared  the  same  fate. 

From  Friday  morning  until  the  following  Thursday,  we  sustained 
this  terrible  battering.  Several  times  during  the  bombardment  the 
enemy's  gun-boats  attempted  to  pass  up  the  river,  under  cover  of  their 
mortar  fire,  and,  on  each  ©ccasion,  our  batteries  were  promptly  man- 
ned, and  the  enemy's  advance  gallantly  repelled. 

At  half  past  three  A.  M.,  on  Thursday,  it  was  observed  that  the 
mortar  fire  was  increased  to  an  intensity  of  fury  which  had  not  been 
previously  reached.  At  the  same  time  a  movement  was  observed  in  the 
steam  fleet  below.  Our  batteries  were  instantly  in  readiness,  and 
were  at  once  engaged  in  a  most  terrific  conflict  with  the  enemy's  fleet 
of  fourteen  steamships,  which,  dashing  by  the  fort  in  the  darkness  of 
the  night,  pouring  in  their  broadsides  of  sh«t,  shell,  grape,  canister 
and  shrapnel,  succeeded  in  getting  beyond  our  range  and  in  our  rear. 
During  the  forenoon  a  demand  was  made  by  Commodore  Porter,  com- 
manding the  mortar  fleet,  for  a  surrender  of  the  forts.     This  proposi- 


381 

feion   ^ra3  promptly  refused,  and   the  bombardment  was  again  cam" 
menced,  and  continued  until  four  P.  M.,  when  all  firing  ceased. 

I  enclose  you  the  reports  of  company  and  battery  commanders,  also 
the  surgeons  report  of  killed  and  wounded.  I  fully  endorse  the  en- 
comiums of  the  company  commanders  upon  the  officers  under  their 
command,  and  feel  myself  bound  to  record  my  high  admiration  of  the 
coolness,  courage  and  fortitude  of  all  the  officers  of  both  forts. 

Captain  J,  B.  Anderson,  company  "  G,"  Louisiana  artillery,  was 
wounded  early  in  the  conflict,  while  heroically  fighting  his  guns.  Not- 
withstanding his  severe  wound,  he  rendered  the  most  gallant  and  effi- 
cient service  to  the  last. 

Captain  W.  B,  Robertson,  who  commanded  a  detached  work,  called 
the  water  battery,  remained  with  his  command  during  the  whole  of 
the  protracted  ordeal,  without  cover  of  any  kind,  although  suffering 
from  severe  physical  disease,  and  scarcely  able,  at  times,  to  walk 
around  his  battery.  He  was  most  ably  and  gallantly  assisted  by  Cap- 
tain R,  J.  Bruce,  Louisiana  artillery. 

First  Lieutenant  Eugene  W,  Baylor,  who  was  in  command  of  the 
42  pounder  barbette  battery,  and  First  Lieutenant  Richard  Agar,  of 
the  .same  battery,  did  all  that  gallant  officers  and  men  could  do. 

The  officers  stationed  at  the  heaviest  batteries,  on  the  river  front, 
were,  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  fatigued  as  they  were,  obliged  to 
be  constantly  with  their  detachments  at  their  guns  to  proven*  surprise. 
Lieutenants  A.  N.  Ogden,  Bevuet  Kennedy  and  Wm.  T.  Mumford,  of 
the  Louisiana  artillery,  particularly  distinguished  themselves  in  this 
service. 

Although  not  under  my  immediate  command,  I  cannot  omit  to 
mention  the  devoted  conduct  of  your  Aid-de-Camp,  Lieutenant  Wm. 
M.  Bridges,  who,  upon  the  disability  of  Captain  Anderson,  imme- 
diately volunteered  his  services,  and  took  charge  of  tlie  two  lO-inch 
columbiads,  and  fought  them  night  and  day,  with  ceaseless  energy. 

Lieutenant  J.  U.  Gains,  in  command  of  the  32  pounder  battery,  on 
the  river  front,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  E.  D.  Woodlief;  Captain  S. 
Jones,  company  "I,"  Louisiana  volunteers,  Captain  F.  Peter,  com- 
pany "  I,"  22d  regiment  l^ouisiana  volunteers,  fought  their  batteries 
gallantly  and  well.  Lieutenant  Thomas  K.  Pierson,  23d  Louisiana 
volunteers,  was  killed  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  while  gallantly  fight- 
ing his  guns. 

The  St.  Mary's  Cannoniers,  Captain  S.  0.  Coraay,  have  my  warmest 
gratitude  and  admiration,  for  their  whole  conduct,  both  in  face  of 
the  enemy,  and  in  the  severe  and  arduous  fatigue  duties,  which  they 
discharged  always  and  at  all  times,  with  alacrity  and  energy.  They 
are  an  honor  to  the  country,  and  well  may  their  friends  and  relations 
be  proud  of  them. 

The  report  of  Captain  ^L  T.  Squires,  who  was  the  senior  officer 
at  Fort  St.  Philip,  is  enclosed,  with  the  reports  of  the  other  officers. 
Captain  Squires  fought  the  batterresof  Fort  St.  Philip  most  gallantly. 
lie  was  in  charge  of  that  fort  <luring  the  whole  bombardment.  The 
severe  work  at  Fort  Jackson  required  my  constant  presence  there. 
I  had  every  confidence  in  the  coolness,  courage  and  skill  of  Captain 


382 

Squires  and  his  officers,  and  most  satisfactorily  did  tliey  discharge 
their  Jutic.''.  I  refer  you  to  his  report  for  the  mention  of  the  indi- 
vidu!*!  conduct  of  his  officers. 

The  floating hattery  "Louisiana,"  the  steam  ram  Manassas,  and  the 
Confederate  steamer  McRae,  together  with  a  number  of  vessels,  which 
had  b(?en  fitted  up  by  the  Confederate  and  State  Governments,  were 
in  the  river  above  the  forts  at  the  time  the  enemy  dashed  by.  I  am 
unable  to  state  what  assistance,  if  any,  was  rendered  by  the  greater 
portion  of  tliese.  At  daylight  I  observed  the  McRae,  gallantly  fight- 
ing, at  terrible  odds,  contending,  at  close  quarters,  with  two  of  the 
enemy's  powerful  ships.  Ilcr  gallant  commander,  Lieutenant  Thomas 
B.  Ilugcr,  fell,  during  the  conflict,  severely,  but,  I  trust,  not  mortally 
wounded. 

The  Manassas,  I  observed  under  weigh,  apparently  in  pursuit  of 
one  of  the  vessels  of  the  enemy,  but  I  soon  lost  sight  of  her. 

I  would  here  observe,  that  I  think  an  investigation  should  be  de- 
manded into  the  conduct  of  the  authorities  afloat,  whose  neglect  of 
our  urgent  entreaties  to  light  up  the  river  during  this  sad  night,  con- 
tributed so  much  to  the  success  of  our  enemies. 

My  Adjutant,  Lieutenant  C.  N.  Morse,  was  indefatigable  in  the 
discharge  of  his  important  duties,  Avhich  required  his  constant  pre- 
sence near  my  person,  and  has  my  sincere  thanks. 

Surgeon  Sommervillc  Burke,  C.  S.  A.,  and  Dr.  Bradbury,  (who 
kindly  volunteered  his  services,  when  he  became  aware  of  the  attack 
on  the  forts,)  were  unremitting  in  their  attention  to  the  wounded, 
fearlessly  exposing  themselves,  at  all  times,  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties. 

Lieutenant  Charles  Warmes,  Ordnance  officer,  distinguished  himself 
by  the  self-sacrificing  attention  to  arduous  and  important  duties.  Day 
and  night  ho  was  at  his  post,  and,  by  his  great  exertions,  our  mag- 
azine was  saved  from  being  flooded,  the  water  having  risen  considera- 
bly above  the  floor. 

Lieutenants  Mann  and  Royster,  of  Captain  Ryan's  company,  ren- 
dered fearless  and  efficient  service. 

Captain  Ryan  was  witli  a  detachment  of  his  company,  on  board  tlic 
"Louisiana,"  during  a  portion  of  the  bombardment,  and  in  the  fight 
of  Thursday  moiming.  At  all  times  his  services  were  most  promptly 
rendered. 

Mr.  James  Ward  rendered  me  the  most  important  services  during 
the  bonibardment..  In  charge  of  the  firemen,  he  made  almost  superhu- 
man exertions  during  the  burning  of  the  citadel.  He  has  my  warmest 
gratitude, 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Very  respectfully,  vour  obedient. servant, 

ED.  HIGGINS, 
Lkut.  Colonel  C.  S.  A.,  commanding  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip. 


SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  OF  LIEUT.  COL.  HIGGINS. 


Nkw  Orlkanr,  April  30th,  1862. 
To  Lieut.  Wm.  M.  Bridges, 

Aid-dc-Camp  and  A.  si.  A.  General,  2ni  Brigade  : 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  on  the  morning  of  tlie  27th 
April,  1862,  a  formal  demand  for  a  surrender  of  Forts  Jackson  and 
St.  Philip  was  made  by  Commodore  David  T).  Porter,  commanding  U. 
S.  mortar  fleet. 

The  terras  which  were  offered  were  of  the  most  liberal  nature ;  but 
so  strong  was  I  in  the  belief,  that  we  could  resist,  successfully,  any 
attack  which  could  be  made  upon  us,  either  by  land  or  water,  that  the 
terms  were  at  once  refused.  Our  fort  was  still  strong.  Our  damage 
had  been,  to  some  extent,  repaired.  Our  men  had  behaved  well,  and 
all  was  hope  and  confidence  Avith  the  officers,  when  suddenly,  at  mid- 
night, I  was  aroused  by  the  report  that  the  garrison  had  revolted,  had 
seized  the  guard  and  were  spiking  the  guns.  Word  was  sent  us 
through  the  sergeants  of  companies,  that  the  men  would  fight  no  lon- 
ger. The  company  officers  were  immediately  despatched  to  their 
commands,  but  were  driven  back.  Officers  were  fired  upon  when  they 
appeared  in  sight  upon  the  parapet.  Signals  were  exchanged  by  the 
mutineers,  with  Fort  St.  Philip.  The  mutiny  was  complete  and  a 
ffcneral  massacre  of  the  officers,  and  a  disgrac.jful  surrender  of  the 
fort  appeared  inevitable. 

By  great  exertion,  we  succeeded,  with  your  influence,  in  preventing 
this  disgraceful  blot  upon  our  country,  and  were  fortunate  in  keeping 
the  passion  of  the  men  in  check,  until  we  could  effect  an  honorable 
surrender  of  the  forts,  which  was  done  by  u?,  jointly,  on  the  morning 
of  the  28th  inst. 

As  the  facts  and  documents  relating  to  this  matter  ^rc  in  your 
possession,  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  dwell  longer  on  this  humiliat* 
in'g  and  unhappy  affair.     I  wish  to    place  on    record  here,  the  noble 

conduct  of  Captain  Coraay's  company,  the  St.    Mary's  Cannon iers 

who  alone  stood  true  as  steel,  when  every  other  company  in    Fort 
Jackson  basely  dishonored  their  country. 

I  havo  the  honor  to  remain,  Very  respectfully, 
Your  ob'd't  servant, 

ED.  HIGGINS,  i:>i//.  Col.  C.  S.  A., 
Late  commander  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  r/iillp. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  M.  T.  SQUIRES. 


FoiiT  St.  Philip,  April  27th,  1862. 
Lieutenant  Charles  N.  Morse, 

Post  Adjulant,  Fort  Jackson,  Louisiana  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  respectfully  to  submit  the  following  report : 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  the  18th  instant,  perceiving  by 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  that  they  were  about  taking  up  their 
position,  the  heavy  guns  were  ordered  to  open  upon  them  to  annoy 
them  in  the  execution  of  their  purpose  as  much  as  possible,  but  the 
distance  being  great,  and  the  range  extreme,  with  but  very  little 
success,  the  enemy  taking  little  or  no  notice  of  our  fire,  only  answering 
by  a  few  rifle  shells,  at  long  intervals.  Tlic  13-inch  mortar  after  the 
13th  round  became  useless,  the  bed  giving  way  under  it,  breaking  in 
two,  and  the  mortar  coming  upon  the  ground.  The  enemy  retired 
from  our  sight  at  8  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  nothing  more  was  heard  of 
him  that  night. 

At  an  early  hour  of  the  morning  of  the  19th  instant,  the  enemy 
again  took  up  a  position  identical  with  that  of  the  previous,  excepting 
that  no  mortar  boats  were  on  this  shore,  all  keeping  close  behind  the 
point  of  Avoods,  and  opened  fire  upon  Fort  Jackson,  which  was  allowed 
to  continue  without  interruption  from  this  side.  Fearing  the  effect,  and 
having  ascertained  the  exact  range  and  distances,  determined  to  open 
upon  them  and  draw  olV  some  of  the  fire  to  this  siile  if  possible.  It  was 
immediately  done,- and  with  partial  success,  three  of  the  mortar  boats 
opening  upon  us  with  but  little  effect. 

On  the  2(lth,  21st  and  22d,  the  fire  of  the  enemy  still  continued 
from  their  mortar  boats,  with  an  occasional  shot  from  the  gun-boats. 
The  only  damage  done  during  these  days,  was  the  damaging  the  plat- 
form of  the  2  l-poun<lcr  gun  in  salient  near  main  magazine,  the  shell 
passing  under  and  throwing  it  up,  but  not  rendering  it  useless.  Our 
fire  was  slow  and  deliberate,  with  no  visible  results  more  than  the 
driving  back  of  two  of  the  mortar  boats,  which  were  partially  exposed 
Jiround  the  wooded  point.  The  fire  of  the  enemy,  although  warm, 
well  directed  and  sustained,  was,  for  the  most  part,  either  short  or  very 
much  over.  Up  to  this  time  the  only  guns  used  were  the  columbiad  bat- 
tery in  the  main  work,  and  the  13-inch  mortar,  disabled  on  the  first  day. 
In  the  lower  water  battery,  one  eight-inch  columbiad  and   one  seven- 


335 

inch  rifle  gun,  worked  by  Captain  R,  C.  Bond's  company ;  four  ten- 
inch  sea  coast  mortars  by  Captain  J.  II.  Lamon's  company.  On  the 
23d,  the  enemy  still  kept  up  a  regular  fire,  to  vrhich  we  did  not  reply 
all  day.  At  3  1-2  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  the  24th,  the  men  were 
ready  and  standing  at  their  guns,  having  received  information  that 
there  was  a  movement  by  the  enemy.  No  vessels  were  to  be  seen,  and 
the  first  notice  of  :n  enemy  nearing  us  was  the  reply  to  tlie  shots  from 
Fort  Jackson,  and  the  gunners  were  ordered  to  fire  by  the  flashes  of 
the  enemy's  guns,  which  was  done,  but  the  fire  was  entirely  too  high 
and  ))asscd  over  them.  Immediately  after  this  a  vessel  came  in  sight, 
and  lliey  followed  each  other  in  rapid  succession,  seemingly  in  pairs, 
one  of  the  two  keeping  back  far  enough  to  enable  her  to  deliver  her 
fire  from  her  broadsides.  The  fire  from  our  guns  was  rapid,  and  from 
the  little  that  could  be  seen  and  heard,  was  accurate,  but  after  the  first 
discharge  the  %moke  almost  hid  them  from  sight,  and  we  were  again 
comjielled  to  judge  by  the  flashes  of  iheir  guns  As  to  the  eff'ect  of 
the  fire,  it  is  impossible  to  state  what  jt  was,  as  the  darkness,  aided  by 
the  smoke,  rendered  seeing  out  of  the  question.  A  three  masted  pro- 
peller ran  ashore  during  the  engagement  above  the  upper  water  battery, 
ami  remaining  there  several  minutes  with  a  fire  barge  alongside,  her 
rigging  had  caught  fire  but  was  immediately  extinguished.  We  were 
not  able  to  open  upon  her  as  one  of  the  colurabiads  had  been  previously 
dismounted,  and  the  other  co.ld  not  be  brought  to  bear,  besides  their 
hands  were  full  with  other  vessels  coming  up,  and  the  24- pounder  in 
the  salient  of  the  upper  water  battery,  bearing  directly  upon  her,  had 
been  broken  in  too  near  the  trunnions.  The  vessels  pgissed  close  under 
our  guns,  taking  advantage  of  the  eddy,  which  runs  up  with  consid- 
erable ^orce,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to  get  more  than  one  or  two 
Bhots  at  any  one  vessel,  they  passed  with  such  rapidity. 

All  our  ^uns  were  worked  with  courage,  energy  and  skill,  excepting 
the  upper  water  battery,  where  some  confusion  arose,  caused  by  the 
men  not  being  so  thoroug'  ly  drilled  as  they  should  have  been.  Com- 
pany C,  of  the  Confederate  Recruits,  Lieutenant  J.  K.  Dixon,  were 
fuliv  prcfiared  to  work  the  guns  of  this  battery,  and  would  have  done 
80  with  efl'ect,  but  were  two  days  before  ordered  on  board  the  floating 
battery  "  Louisiana,"  and  their  place  was  supplied  by  Captain  Assan- 
heiuier's  company  B,  24th  regiment  Louisiana  volunteers,  who  had 
only  been  drilled  a  few  tunes,  and  Captain  Massicott's  company  D, 
Clialinette  rcgirjcnt.  who  were  raw,  uudrille<l,  perfectly  ignorant  even 
of  the  use  of  the  shot  guns,  with  which  they  were  armed,  an<l  had 
never  been  (killed  at  artillery.  As  soon  as  it  was  seen  that  the  guns 
did  not  open.  Lieutenant  A.  J.  Quigly,  with  such  men  as  could  be 
gathcrtd,  yras  sent  to  attend  to  them,  which  was  done,  so  far  as  they 
Were  concerned,  to  the  satisfaction  of  that  officer.  The  compuiy  of 
Confederate  Recruits,  under  Lieutenants  Dixon  and  Blov.*,  werefletailcd 
to  report  to  Captain  Mitchell,  C.  S.  Navy,  for  duty  on  board  the 
**  Loui  iana,"  as  per  instructions  datod  headquarters  Forts  Jackson 
and  St,  rhilip,  April  2l8t,  Di62,  where  they  remained  until  th<y 
errning  of  the  21th  instant.  Captain  L^irtigues  compatiy  did  good 
service  as  scouts  and  sharn-jhootcrs,  m.iny  of  them  bsing  out  al  all 
25 


386 

times.  On  the  night  of  the  23d,  seven  of  them  were  sent  to  ascertain 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  all  returned  without  accomplishing 
anything.  Two^  other  scouts,  one  from  company  K,  and  the  other  of 
company  F,  were  out  on  the  same  mission,  and  had  it  not  been  from 
the  failure  of  the  rockets,  which  by  an  accident  became  wet,  would 
have  signalled  their  approach  much  sooner.  As  it  was,  the  only  intima- 
tion I  received,  was  the  firing  of  one  of  their  muskets.  The  following 
is  number  of  projectiles  used,  &c.:  six  hundred  and  seventy-five  (675) 
8- inch  solid  shot,  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  (171)  8-inch  shells, 
thirteen  l.'1-inch  from  columbiad  battery,  &c.,  ,in  main  work;  one 
hundred  and  forty-two  lO-inch  mortar  shells  from  lower  mortar  bat- 
tery, four  hundred  and  seventy  shot,  shell  and  grape,  lower  water 
battery ;  one  hundred  and  twenty  shot,  grape  and  canister  from  upper 
water  battery.  Captain  R.  C.  Bond,  assisted  by  1st  Lieutenants 
Carleton  Hunt  and  Wm.  E.  Ellis,  and  his  company  K,  Captain  J.  II. 
Ijamon,  with  the  assistance  of  1st  Lieuteuant  H.  W.  Fowler,  with  his 
company  C,  in  the  lower  batter.y,  manning  the  42  and  32-pounders, 
respectively ;  Lieutenants  Lewis  B.  Taylor  and  W.  B.  Jones,  with 
company  F,  at  the  columbiad  battery,  and  Lieutenant  A.  J.  Quigly, 
v.ith  supernumeraries  of  company  F,  taken  from  main  work  to  man 
guns  of  upper  water  battel  y,  behaved  with  gallantry,  energy,  coolness 
and  bravery,  worthy  of  imitation,  and  all,  both  officers  and  men, 
deserve  the  highest  praise  that  could  be  given  to  any  one  for  the  hon- 
orable part  they  performed  during  the  whole  time  since  the  commence- 
ment of  this  trying  conflict.  Captain  Charles  Assanhcimer's  company 
B,  did  their  besf,  both  his  officers  and  men.  Individual  acts  of  heroism 
are  numerous,  but  where  all  did  so  well,  it  would  appear  invidious  to 
mention  names.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  were  every  thing  to  be  done  again, 
or  anything  else  required  to  be  performed,  one  could  aak  no  other  privi- 
ieffe  than  to  have  the  same  men  to  do  it — feolifi";  satisfied  it  would  be 
as  well  carried  out  as  possible.  The  injury  to  ihe  fort  was  slight.  O 
the  guns,  one  banded  7-inch  ritle  was  bursted  by  the  explosion  of  a 
shell  in  its  bore  near  the  muzzle,  and  one  twenty-four  pounder  gun 
was  broken  in  two  about  14  inches  in  front  of  the  trunnions,  by  being 
struck  by  a  solid  shot.  An  8-iuch  columbiad  was  dismounted,  but  only 
temporarily  useless,  the  gun  being  uninjured  and  soon  remounted.  The 
platform  of  one  twenty-four  pounder  gun  was  undermined  by  a  shell, 
but  not  rendered  entirely  useless.  One  of  the  uprights  of  a  42-pounder 
i^un  carriage  was  partially  i^hot  away,  but  can  still  be  of  service. 

With  many  thanks  to  all  oflicers  and  men  for  their   assistance  and 
. 'efficient  aid,  and  humbly  bowing  before  the  will  of  Almighty  God, 
I  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
.(Signed,)  M.  T.  SQUIRES, 

Coptam  Louisiana  Artillery. 


LIST  OF  KILLED    AND    WOUNDED    DURING  THE  EIGHT 
vDAYS  BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT  JACKSON. 


To  Lieut.  Col.  Ed.  IIiggins, 

Commanding  Forts  Jadaon  and  St.  Philip 


f 


April  IS.  Private  Helzcl,  company  D,  1st  artillery,  contusion,  log. 
ic           "         Fogorty,     "         '-         •*            "  "  ** 

"       Capt.  J.  B.  Anderson,  CO.  B,       '*  wound  in  hand. 

"       Private  Tymon,            co.  E,       '*  in  back. 

"           "         Friedman,           *'            ''  in  hand. 

•"           "         Shields,                "           ''  killed. 

"           "          O'Brien,  St.  M.  23d  La.,  wounded  in  ankle,  slightly. 
Wounded  6 Killed  1. 

April  19.  Private  Clark,  company  B,  1st  artillery,  killed. 

"  "        Tho's  McCarty,         '*     E,       "     wounded  in  arm. 

**  **         Reims,  co.  St.  M.  C,  wounded  in  hand  and  arm. 

**  «*        F.  F.  Ilcyle,     "     "     "    killed. 

Wounded  2 ". Killed  2. 

April  20.  Corp.  Morris,  company  B,  Ist  artillery,  killed. 

"        Private  Ashton,         "     D,         "         wM  in  breast  and  arm. 
"           *'         Sumkel,         "     E,          "            "     on  toe. 
Wounded  2 Killed  1. 

April  21.  Private  Reed,  company  II,  Ist  artillery,  wounded  on  foot. 
Wounded  1.  ' 

April  22.  Private  Londenstein,  co.    Yagers,  22d    La.  vols.,  wounded 
on  shoulder. 
"  "  Kelley,  St.  M.  C,  22d  La.  vols.,  wounded  o»  foot. 

Wounded  2. 

April  23.  Private  Kcrgan,  co.  A,  22d  l>a.  vols.,  wounded  in  back 
Wounded  1. 


388 

April  24.  Private  Robert  Collier,  co.  D,  1st  art.,  wM  in  face. 
*'         Stephen  Welsh,  *'  B,     .     "       killed. 
"  "         Michael  Burke,  "  "  "  " 

"  "         Williams.  *'  D,         "        w'd  in  knee. 

**  **         Albion    Gooch,  ''  "  **       kilk-a. 

*•  Sergeant  Williams,  "  E,         "       wounded  in  eye. 

«*  "■  Lynch,  "  "  "  "     in  stomach, 

*♦  Private  Johnson,  "  "  *'  *'       in  arm. 

**  Sergeant  Jackson,  **  II,         "  "  ♦' 

'*  Corporal  Smith,  **  "  *'       killed. 

"  PrivateM.  Sullivan,  "  **  "       ^v\l  in  arm  and  leg. 

**  Sergeant  Gusman,    co.  A.  G.  22d  La.  vols.,  "      '* 

*•  Lieutenant  Pierson,        '*     *'         ♦'         *'     killed. 

**  Private  Shultz,  "     *'         "         "    w'd  in  hip,  dead. 

"  "       J.  Benson,  "     "         "         '*    killed. 

"  "       T.Kroupe,  St.  M.  23d  vols.,  thigh  amputated. 

"  "       AVagner,  *'  *'  ifvounded  in  arm. 

"  "        Alberts,  "  *'  "  in  hand. 

**  "       Z.  Drozer,  Yager's,  22d  La.  vols.,  w'd  in  hand  and  face, 

"  "        F.  Bradioaux,  St.  M.  C  ,  -Nvouuded  on  nose. 

"  "       A.  Haydel,         "  '*  "     in  both  legs. 

"  **        A,  Whalcy,  **  *'     arm  amputated,  dead. 

"  **       E.  Hoydcl,  "         "    killed. 

**  Lieutenant  Godeaux,      "         "     wounded  in  hand. 

"  Private  J.  Duffy ,co.  D,  1st  art.,    fractured  upper  maxillary. 
"  "       F.Kroupe,  St.  M.  23d  La.  vols.,    wounded  on  head. 

**  Corj-oral  II.  Weigand,  Yagers,  22d  La    vols  ,  on  head. 

'*  Private  John  Shin,  A.  G.,  22d  La.  vols,,  bruised. 
"  "       James  O'Neil,  co.  H,  1st  art.,  wounded  in  hand. 

*'  Corporal  J.  Harmon,  St.  M  ,  23d  La.  vols.,  wounded  in  breast. 

AVounded  21 Killed  9. 

Total  wounded  35 Total  Killed  9. 

(Signed)  SOMMERVILLE  BURKE, 

-   .  Assistant  Su)-gcon,  C.    S.  A. 


LIST  OF  KILLED  AND    WOUNDED   IN   FORT  ST.  PHILIP. 


Fort  St.  Philip,  April  26M,  1862. 

To  Lieut.  Cha's  W.  Morse, 

Post  Adjutant,  Fort  Jackson  : 

Sir  :     I  have    to  report  two  killed  and  four    wounded  at  Fort  St. 
Philip,  viz : 

Company  D,  Chalmette  regiment, 1  killed. 

«'        "■  "  "  2  wovmded. 

*'        F,  1st  La.  artillery, 1  killcl. 

"       K,         "  "      2  Avoundcd. 

Very  respectfully, 
(Signed)  CIIA'S  D.  LEWIS, 

Assistant  Surgeon ,  C.  S.  A. 

s 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  M.  L.  SMITH; 


Camp  Moore,  Tangipahoa,  La.,  ) 
May  Qlh,  18G2.      5 

To  Major  J.  G.  Pickett, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Major  : — I  herewith  submit  a  report  of  the  operations  of  the  troops 
under  my  command  at  the  Chalmettc  and  McGee  lines,  on  the  approach 
of  the  enemy's  vessels  from  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  to  the  city 
of  New  Orleans.  These  interior  lines  of  defence  are  constructed  ^Yith 
special  reference  to  an  attack  by  land,  but  terminating  them  on  the 
river  banks,  were  two  batteries  calculated  for  twelve  and  twxnty  guns 
respectively,  and  at  the  time  of  the  action,  containing  five  and  nine. 
Ten  forty-two  pounders,  intended  for  this  battery,  were  turned  over 
to  the  navy  for  the  defence  of  New  Orleans  by  water.  This  has  been 
considered  as  depending  upon  the  fcrts  mentioned,  which  are  well  con- 
structed, permanent  works,  rather  well  armed,  and  far  stronger  than 
any  other  that  could  be  hastily  erected.  With  this  view,  all  the 
available  material,  both  of  guns  and  ammunition,  had  been  concentrated 
there  prior  to  the  bombardment,  and  during  its  continuance  was  being 
added  to  in  such  quantities  daily  as  .the  means  of  the  department  ad- 
mitted of,  it  being  evident  that  the  decisive  struggle  was  there  to  be 
made.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  it  became  certain  that  the  large  vessels 
of  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  passing,  there  no  longer  existed  a 
chance  of  preventing  them  from  reaching-  New  Orleans,  and  the  short 
resistance  made  by  the  few  guns  mounted  in  the  two  batteries  of  the 
interior  lines  was  made  through  a  sense  of  duty,  but  without  any  ex- 
pectation of  success,  the  enemy  numbering  as  many  vessels,  less  one, 
a.^  wo  had  guns. 

On  the  side  of  the  river  where  I  was  in  person  during  the  action, 
were  stationed  three  companies  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pinckney's  bat- 
talion of  sharpshooters.  With  the  five  guns  on  the  other  side,  were 
Captain  Patton's  company  of  the  22d  Louisiana  volunteers,  one  com- 
pany from  Fort  Pike,  under  Lieutenant  Butter,  one  company,  Beaure- 
gard battery,  besides  two  battalions  of  infantry  collected  in  camp  for 
instruction,  as  well  as  to  guard  the  line  in  case  of  the  enemy's  landing 
and  attacking  by  land — all  under  immediate  command  of  General 
Buisson. 

The  enemy's  vessels  had  approached   to  within    about  the  fourth  of' 


391 

a  mile,-  before  we  opened  on  tbem,  tlie  first  gun  being  from  Pinck- 
ney's  battery,  and  immediately  followed  by  several  from  the  bat- 
tery on  the  opposite  side,  and  as  promptly  replied  to  from  the  enemy's 
vessels.  The  engagement  lasted  until  every  round  of  ammunition  on 
hand  was  fired,  both  officers  and  men  displaying  a  coolness  and  intre- 
pidity that  was  gratifying,  especially  as  regards  the  men,  who  then  for 
the  first  time  in  their  lives  discharged  a  heavy  gun.  The  firing  on 
our  side  was  spirited,  perhaps  a  little  uncertain  ;  on  the  enemy's  heavy 
and  rather  well  directed. 

During  the  engagement,  their  vessels  gradually  lessened  the  dis- 
tance, until  near  enough  to  open  with  grape  and  canister. 

The  ammunition  being  expended,  and  every  sense  of  duty  satisfied, 
permission  was  given  to  Colonel  Pinckney  to  Avithdraw  his  command 
along  the  line  of  field  works,  affording  shelter,  which  was  done  delib- 
erately, officers  and  men  retiring  together.  The  casualties  were  one 
killed  and  one' wounded.  The  battery  on  the  Chalmette  side  seemed 
well  served,  and  no  doubt  was  so,  judging  from  the  character  of  the 
officers  present. 

The  enemy  steaming  up  between  us  and  the  city,  prevented  the  re- 
treat of  the  troops  to  that  point.  They  were  accordingly  directed  to 
gain  the  Opelousas  railroad  and  reach  Camp  Moore  via  Lafourche,  or 
such  route  as  might  be  found  best.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pinckney  has 
already  reported  with  his  command,  but  somewhat  reduced  in  numbers. 

In  concluding  this  report,  I  wish  particularly  to  call  attention  to 
the  admirable  assistance  rendered  by  Lieutenants  McDonald  and  B.  ^L 
Harrod,  on  engineer  duty,  both  before  and  after  the  action.  Their 
conduct  could  not  have  been  better.  Lieutenant  Frost,  on  special 
duty,  was  also  of  material  assistance,  but  in  carrying  out  some  in- 
structions, was  accidentally  absent  during  the  engagement. 

Having  received  no  report  from  General  Buisson  concerning  the 
operations  on  his  side  of  the  river,  I  am  unable  to  refer  to  them  more 
particularly. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

M.  L.  SMITH, 
Brigadier  General  commanding  Srd  Brigade. 


FL  E  r^  O  PIT 


OF     THE 


AFFAIR  AT  SOUTH  MILLS. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  IIUGER. 


Headquarters  Department  of  Norfolk,  ) 
Norfolk,  Va.,  April  28,  1862.      S 

General  R.  E.  Lee, 

Commanding,  etc.  : 

General:  I  have  received  through  Rvigadicr  General  Blanchard, 
commanding  3d  brigade,  the  reports  of  Colonel  A.  R.  Wright  and 
Colonel  Fcrcbec,  commanding  the  drafted  North  Carolina  militia,  and 
Lieutenant  I).  A.  French,  who  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  bat- 
tery of  artillery  after  the  death  of  its  gallant  Captain,  McComas.  I 
•would  forward  these  reports  to  you  at  once,  but  there  arc  some  dis- 
crepancies and  omissions  in  them,  which  I  desire  first  to  have  cor- 
rected, and  will,  therefore,  try  to  make  a  brief  statement  from  these 
reports,  to  give  you  and  the  War  Department  information  concerning 
this  severe  and  well-fought  action,  which  wns  successful,  inasmuch  as 
the  enemy  failed  to  accomplish  his  object,  and  was  obliged  to  retire  to 
his  vessels,  with  great  loss, 

I  send  herewith  a  sketch  of  the  country  between  South  Mills  and 
Elizabeth  City,  showing  the  position  of  the  battle. 

All  the  forces,  under  the  comman<l  of  Colonel  Wright,  were  the  3d 
regiment  (Georgia  volunteers,  some  drafted  militia,  under  Colonel  Fer- 
ebee,'  of  North  Carolina,  (Colonel  Ferebee  omits  to  state  in  his  re- 
port how  many  he  bad  on  duty.)  McComas'  battery  of  artillery,  1 1  ri- 


894 

fled  pieces  aud  3  bronze  6-pounders,  and  one  company  of  cavalry, 
Captain  Gillette's  Southan>pton  company.  On  Friday,  the  IStli,  I 
had  ordered  forward  the  32d  N.  C.  regiment,  (Colonel  Brabbles,)  and 
the  1st  Louisiana  regiment,  (Colonel  Vincent's,)  but  they  did  not  ar- 
rive until  after  the  battle. 

On  Friday,  the  18th,  Colonel  "Wright  occupied  South  Mills  with 
three  companies  of  his  regiment,  IGO  strong,  and  the  drafted  North 
Carolina  militia.  Two  companies  at  the  entrenchments  at  Richard- 
son's Mills,  125  effectives,  and  five  companies,  about  300  men,  and 
McComas'  battery  of  artillery,  at  Elizabeth  City.  On  Friday  even- 
ing, anticipating  the  enemy's  advance,  and  in  compliance  with  my  in- 
structions to  concentrate  his  forces  at  or  near  South  Mills,  he  ordered 
the  companies  at  Elizabeth  City  to  retire  9  miles  to  Richardson's 
Mills.  From  some  cause,  not  yet  explained,  these  companies  did  not 
leave  Elizabeth  City  until  after  day-light  on  Saturday  morning.  The 
cavalry  companies  from  Camden  court-house  reported  at  8  1-2  o'clock 
on  the  19th,  the  enemy  approaching,  having  then  passed  the  court- 
house. Colonel  Wright  moved  forward  with  his  three  companies,  and 
at  9  1-2  was  met  by  Captain  McComas,  with  his  battery.  After  ad- 
vancing three  miles  from  South  Mills,  the  road  emerged  from  the 
woods,  and  the  fields  on  the  right  and  left  extended  160  to  180  yards 
to  thick  v,-oods  and  swamp.  On  the  edge  of  the  woods  on  both  sides  of 
the  road,  and  perpendicular  to  it,  was  a  small  ditch,  the  earth  from 
which  Avas  thrown  up  on  the  south  side  in  a  ridge,  upon  which  was  a 
heavy  rail  fence.  From  this  point  the  road  led  through  a  narrow 
lane  (Sawyer's  lane)  for  one  mile,  with  cleared  land  on  both  sides  of 
it.  Here  he  determined  to  make  his  stand.  About  three  hundred 
yards  from  the  woods  ran  a  deep,  wide  ditch,  parallel  with  the  one  first 
mentioned,  and  extending  to  the  woods  on  either  side  of  the  road,  and 
a  short  distance  beyond  it  were  dwellings  and  out-houses,  which  would 
give  cover  to  the  enemy.  Colonel  Wright,  therefore,  ordered  them 
burnt.  The  large  ditch  in  his  front  he  filled  with  fence  rails,  and  set 
them  on  fire,  his  object  being  to  have  this  ditch  so  hot  by  the  time  the 
enemy  came  up,  they  could  not  occupy  it.  (A).  This  ditch  is  mark- 
ed on  sketch  as  "Roasted  ditch." 

Two  pieces  of  artillery  (the  road  was  too  narrow  for  more)  were 
placed  in  the  readjust  where  it  emerged  from  the  woods,  which  com- 
manded the  road,  with  the  range  of  the  guns.  He  also  threw  down 
the  fence  for  300  yards  in  front  of  the  guns,  and  tossed  the  rails  into 
the  road,  to  destroy  the  eftect.  of  the  enemy's  ricochet  firing,  and  to 
deprive  him  of  the  cover  of  the  fences.  The  fences  on  the  sides  of 
the  woods  were  taken  down,  and  laid  in  heaps  on  the  embankment  in 
front  of  his  men.  All  these  arrangements  were  made,  and  it  was  11 
o'clock  before  he  was  joined  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Read  and  the  seven 
companies  from  below.  Two  of  these,  under  Major  Lee,  were  placed 
at  River  Bridge,  with  one  piece  of  McComas'  artillery,  Avith  direc- 
tions to  destroy  it,  and  stop  the  enemy  there,  if  he  should  attempt  to 
get  into  our  rear  by  coming  up  the  Avest  side  of  the  river.  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Read,  and  three  companies  3d  Georgia,  (and  by  Colonel 
Ferebee's  report,   the  North  Carolina  militia,)  Avere   placed  about  a 


395 

mile  in  the  rear  at  tlie  meeting  of  an  old  road,  to  protect  that  passage 
and  serve  as  a  reserve.  The  remaining  five  companies  were  deployed 
in  open  order  across  the  roa^l  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  artillery, 
protected  by  the  ditch  and  fence  rails  on  the  banks.  The  smoke  from 
the  burning  buildings  and  fences  was  rolled  towards  the  enemy,  thus 
masking  the  position.  At  15  minutes  before  12  o'clock  the  front  of  a 
heavy  column  of  the  enemy  was  seen  passing  through  the  smoke,  and 
Captain  INIcComas  opened  a  destructive  fire  on  them,  which  checked 
their  advance  for  half  an  hour,  when  they  again  approached  under  the 
fire  of  a  12-pounder,  but  soon  retired  entirely  out  of  sight,  in  con- 
siderable confusion.  Up  to  three  o'clock  thrice  had  the  heavy  columns 
of  the  enemy  been  beaten  back  by  the  heavy  fire  of  Captain  McCo- 
mas'  artillery,  and  our  only  casualties  one  man  wounded  and  one 
wheel  injured. 

At  15  minutes  after  3,  P,  M.,  the  enemy  again  advanced  and  de- 
ployed two  regiments  to  their  right,  o'ur  left.  Three  regiments,  after 
advancing  towards  us,  were  driven  back  by  the  well-directed  fire  of 
Captain  McComas'  artillery,  and  Captains  N-esbitt's  and  Musgrove's 
companies.  Captain  McWhirter's  fire  also  caused  the  Zouaves  on  our 
right  to  retire,  and  this  attack  ceased  by  25  minutes  before  4.  Our 
loss  up  to  this  time  was  very  slight,  while  that  of  the  enemy  was  very 
severe,  as  we  could  plainly  see  them  fall,  and  they  had  raised  the  hos- 
pital flag  on  a  building  in  rear  of  their  line.  They  soon  advanced 
again,  two  regiments  skirting,  the  woods  on  our  left,  and  approached 
near  enough  to  engage  the  skirmishers.  One  company  from  the  right 
was  moved  over,  and  Colonel  Read  ordered  to  send  one  company  from 
the  reserve.  The  enemy  deployed  in  the  open  field,  and  bore  down 
rapidly,  but  the  heavy  fire  of  musketi-y  caused  them  to  waver,  and 
they  fled  back  to  the  fence.  Three  regiments  and  a  field  piece  were 
in  the  centre,  and  the  9th  New  York  regiment  on  the  right.  The  fire 
was  now  brisk  fiom  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other,  and  the  enemy 
were  held  in  check,  when,  just  at  this  moment,  Captain  McComas  was 
killed  by  a  minnie  ball,  and  his  men,  who,  for  four  hours,  had  fought 
with  most  indomitable  courage,  became  panic-stricken,  and  left  the 
field,  taking  their  pieces  Avith  them.  Colonel  Wright  succeeded  in 
rallying  them  and  getting  two  pieces  and  a  few  men  in  position,  and 
the  enemy  had  advanced  so  close  that  canister  was  fired  on  them  with 
effect,  and  they  again  fell  back.  The  ammunition  in  the  limber  boxes 
was  exhausted,  and  during:  the  temporary  absence  of  Colonel  Wright, 
the  artillery  left  the  field.  The  enemy  made  a  charge  upon  our  line, 
but  the  steady  fire,  at  close  distance,  (Colonel  Wright  estimates  it  at 
50  yards,)  caused  them  to  break  in  confusion,  and  they  fell  back. 

Taking  advantage  of  their  confusion,  Colonel  Wright  now  fell  back 
in  good  order  to  entrenchments  on  Joy's  creek,  about  two  miles  in  his 
rear,  and  called  in  Lieutenant  Colonel  Read's  and  Major  Lee's  com- 
mands, and  there  awaited  the  enemy,  who,  it  appears,  were  so  ba<lly 
injured,  that  they  made  no  advance,  but  at  about  8  P.  M.  began  to 
retreat  to  their  boats.  At  this  time  I  am  infornjed  that  several  com- 
panies of  the  32d  North  Carolina  regiment  joined  Colonel  Wright, 
who,  during  the  night,  retired  from  this  position  to  the  N.  W.  Lock. 
Colonel  Wright  states  his  loss  at  six   killed,   nineteen  woun^ed^  and 


396 

three  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy's  loss  he  estimates  as  very  large, 
as  hio-h  as  300.  Colonel  Wright  states  that  the  regiments  opposed  to 
him  were  the  9th,  21st  and  89th  New  York,  and  the  21st  Massachu- 
aetts,  6th  New  Hampshire,  and  51st  Pennsylvania  regiments,  (we  have 
prisoners  or  wounded  of  five  of  these  regiments,)  the  whole  command- 
ed by  Brigadier  General  Reno. 

Among  the  killed  he  is  grieved  to  announce  the  loss  of  Captain 
McComas,  an  estimable  gentleman,  and  brave  and  skillful  officer, 
whose  conduct  throughout  the  action  elicited  the  highest  praise.  All 
the  command  engaged  behaved  in  the  most  gallant  manner,  standing 
firmly  against  overwhelming  odds,  until  ordered  to  fall  back  to  our 
entrenchments.  They  maintained  their  position  over  five  hours,  and 
killed  and  disabled  more  of  the  enemy  than  we  had  in  action.  On 
returning  to  the  field  next  day,  we  recovered  1100  pounds  powder, 
and  the  arms,  accoutrements,  tools,  etc.,  left  by  the  enemy.  I  have 
already  reported  his  leaving  sucli  wounded  as  he  could  not  remove, 
and  I  have  sent  them  to  Fortress  Monroe  on  parole.  Some  ten  or 
twelve  stragglers  were  taken  on  the  20th,  and  held  as  prisoners  of 
war.  I  will  forward  the  original  reports  as  soon  as  they  are  corrected, 
and  meanwhile  submit  this  as  a  summary. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

BEN.  IIUGEK, 
Major  General^  Commanding. 


llErORT 


OF 


OPERATIONS     ON     TENNESSEE     RIVER, 


AND    AT 


BEIDGEPOET. 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  LEADBETTER,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  1st  Brigade,  East  Tf.nn.,  ) 
Chattanooga,  May  5th,  1862.       \ 

To  Major  II.  L.  Clay, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Major  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  enemy,  eleven  or 
twelve  hiimlred  strong;,  advanced  against  Bridgeport  on  the  2Mh  ult. 
My  command,  guarding  the  bridges  at  that  place,  consisted  of  47()  in- 
fantry of  the  newly  raised  regiments,  the  Georgia  39th  and  43<i,  with 
1,5' I  cavalry  employed  only  as  scouts.  The  infantry  was  posted  on  the 
heights  in  advance  of  the  West  bridge,  about  50i)  yards  distant,  leav- 
ing a  rear  guard  tf  5'^  men  near  the  bridge  end  and  on  either  sidi  of 
it,  covered  by  musketry  breastworks.  Two  iron  six-pound^^rs,  old 
guns,  had  been  placed  in  the  position  last  named,  but  were  withdrawn 
M  soon  as  the  enemy's  advance  had  developed  itself  as    an   attack. 


398 

You  are  aware  that  a  defence  of  the  place  by  a  small  force  was 
very  difficult.  The  two  bridges,  with  the  high  railroad  embankment 
between  them,  were  a  mile  and  a  quarter  long,  extending  in  one 
straight  line  towards  the  hein;hts  before  mentioned,  and  these  hci^^hts 
were  of  far  too  great  extent  to  bo  properly  occupied  and  held  by  our 
forces.  The  enemy  could  advance  in  any  direction  on  our  front  and 
flanks,  and  cut  off  our  troops  from  the  bridge,  or  else  drive  them  to  a 
disastrous  retreat,  under  a  fire  destructive  to  their  only  avenue  of  es- 
cape. To  have  placed  our  men  at  the  bridge  end  and  along  the  river 
bank,  would  have  been  to  subject  them  to  a  plunging  fire  from  the 
hei":hts,  toirether  with  the  disadvanta^res  before  mentioned.  On  the 
island,  or  at  the  east  shore  of  the  river,  they  would  have  occupied  low 
ground  and  been  unable  to  protect  the  West  bridge  against  surprise 
and  destruction.  Finding,  at  5  P.  M.,  that  the  enemy  were  near  at 
hand,  the  two  guns  were  removed  on  a  platform  car,  and  immediately 
after,  the  troops  were  defiled  across,  the  rear  guard  only  remaining. 
At  this  time,  I  crossed  to  the  east  end  of  the  West  bridge,  in  order  to 
see  that  everything  was  prepared  for  blowing  up  a  span,  and  Avhile  ex- 
amining the  aagazi-ne  within  the  bridge,  the  enemy  opened  fire,  ap- 
parently with  a  rifled  gun  and  howitzer.  Ascending  to  the  roadway, 
I  found  tlie  rear  guard  crossing  the  bridge  at  double  quick,  and  at;  the 
eame  time  observed  some  ten  or  twelve  of  'Our  scouts  at  six  or  eight 
hundred  yards  southwest  of  the  bridge  end,  hesitating  to  cross.  After 
waiting  a  reasonable  time,  and  finding  that  they  had  apparently  de- 
cided not  to  move,  I  ordered  the  fuse  to  be  shortened  and  fired.  This 
•was  done  by  Lieutenant  Margraves,  of  the  s  ippers  and  miners,  assisted 
by  one  man  of  his  company.  The  charge,  which  was  exploded,  con- 
sisted of  iiOl)  pounds  of  powder  in  one  mass,  but  from  the  difiiculty  of 
confining  it,  the  effect  was  not  such  as  had  been  hoped  for,  and  the 
span  did  not  fall.  I  determined,  therefore  to  carry  out  the  spirit  of 
your  instructions  and  to  burn  the  East  bridge.  With  the  assistance 
of  Captain  Kane,  of  the  artillery,  and  Lieutenant  Margraves,  it  was 
soon  in  flames  and  impassable  to  the  enemy.  During  the  retreat  of 
the  rear  guard  and  the  burning  of  the  bridge,  the  enemy  kept^^up  a 
warm  fire  of  shells  along  the  line  of  the  track,  but  fortunately  with 
little  effect.  Only  two  of  our  infantry  were  hit  and  slightly  wounded 
by  fragments.  Finding  tliat  the  enemy  was  advancing  his  guns  upon 
the  island,  and  directing  his  fire  towards  our  encampment,  which  had 
never  b^en  removed  to  the  west  bank,  the  tents  were  ordered  to  be 
struck  .and  be  prepared  to  move.  This  was  an  immediate  necessity, 
and  regarding  the  position  there  untenable,  I  determined  to  evacuate 
it.  As  the  receipt  of  supplies  depended  on  the  integrity  of  the  rail- 
road track  to  Chattanooga,  and  the  road  at  several  points  touches  the 
river  bank,  it  would  have  been  easy  for  the  enemy  to  cross  above  us, 
destroy  the  track  or  bridges,  or  else  plant  his  guns  on  the  opposite 
side  so  as  to  command  the  road,  closing  it  to  the  passage  of  trains. 
We  would  thus  have  been  compelled  to  retire,  perhaps  across  the 
mountain  eastward,  leaving  the  road  to  Chattanooga  open.  I  preferred 
lo  retire  to  Chattanooga,  disembarrassing  ourselves  of  sick,  wounded, 
and  baggage,  and  then  returning  to  a  favorable  point  on  the  road,  hold 


399 

the  enemy  under  observation,  llways  hoping  for  reinforcements.  J£ 
he  advanced,  it  was  reasonably  expected  it  would  be  with  his  whole 
force  of  5,000  men.  Being  unabl:  to  find  the  telegraph  or.the  opera- 
tor, removed  from  Bridgeport  in  the  retreat,  and  esteeming  it  my  duty 
to  communicate  to  you  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  this  move- 
ment of  the  enemy,  I  came  up  on  the  train  of  that  evening,  bring- 
ing up  the  sick,  some  men  unfortunately  wounded  by  railroad  accident, 
and  about  half  of  the  command.  A  train  was  sent  down  for  the  re- 
mainder as  soon  as  possible,  and  it  brought  up  also  the  baggage. 

Before  the  attack,  two  old  iron  6 -pounders  of  Kane's  battery,  had 
been  planted  on  the  east  bank  in  tlic  only  place  available,  but  very 
difficult  of  access,  and  were  abandoned  under  the  enemy's  fire  and  the 
heat  of  the  burning  bridge.  The  dispositions  made  occupied  the  30th, 
and  as  our  whole  force,  450  men,  composed  the  brigade  of  Colonel  A. 
W.  Reynolds,  then  serving  on  Court  Martial,  but  naturally  anxious 
to  be  in  the  field,  I  ordered  him  forward  to  Whiteside,  a  strong  posi- 
tion fouiteen  miles  towards  Bridgeport,  on  the  1st  instant,  lie  was 
directed  to  observe  the  enemy,  and  to  retard  his  advance  if  practica- 
ble. In  the  mean  time  I  had  been  advised  by  Colonel  Glenn,  under 
date  of  the  30th,  at  Dalton,  that  he  v/ould  bring  on  his  uiiarmed  regi- 
ment, as  soon  as  transportation  could  be  procured,  and  he  was  confi-  ^ 
dently  expected  on  the  1st  instant.  It  was  necessary  to  collect  the 
arms  belonging  to  the  sick  of  the  39th  and  4-3rd  Georgia"  regiments, 
and  with  them  to  arm  Colonel  Glenn's  command.  This  I  undertook, 
with  the  purpose  of  moving  on  promptly  to  Colonel  Reynolds'^support. 
Colonel  Glenn  arrived  on  the  2nd,  and  was  soon  armed  and  supplied 
with  ammunition,  but  the  tenor  of  Colonel  Reynolds'  dispatches  during 
the  day,  was  such  as  to  lead  me  to  think  it  judicious  to  hold  the  regi- 
ment disposable,  lest  the  enemy  should  move  up  on  the  west  side,  and 
attempt  to  cross  near  Chattanooga.  About  (0  o'clock  that  night,  I 
received  from  him  the  following  dispatch: 

General  LEAnBKTxcR : 

Sc(mts  came  in  from  Kclly'a  Ferry,  reported  orf  reliable  information 
that  the  enemy,  five  thousand  strong,  had  crossed  at  Shell  Mound. 

A.  W.  REYNOLDS, 
Colonel  commanding. 

I  answered:  If  you  are  satisfied  your  information  is  relia])le,  burn 
all  the  bridges  on  the  railroad  and  country  roads,  and  fall  back  with 
your  command  to  Lookout  Mountain.  I  will  meet  you  there  with 
Colonel  Glenn's  regiment. 

W.  LEADBETTER, 
Brigadier  General, 

Tlie  point  indicated,  is  close  to  the  Tennessee  river,  where  the  rail- 
road and  all  the  country  roads  intersect  each  other.  To  this  dispatch, 
the  Colonel  replied  that  he  would  move  accordingly.  About  4  o'clock 
,\.  M.,  of  the  3rd,  wc  met  there,  and  having  selected  the  best  line  of 


400 

defence,  too  extensive,  however,  for  o^  force,  I  placed  the  men  in 
position,  and  a  bridge  on  the  country  road  over  Lookout  creek,  in  front, 
was  burned.  I  also  ordered  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  same  cretk, 
to  be  burned,  as  soon  as  our  pickets  should  have  come  in.  Colonel 
Reynolds  then  proceeded  to  town.  This  railroad  bridge  was  actually 
not  burned  till  late  in  the  day,  but  I  was  on  the  mountain  and  sap- 
posed  that  it  had  been  destroyed  early.  After  receiving  pos  tive  infor- 
mation, therefore,  at  1  P.  M.,  that  the  force  of  the  enemy  on  this  side 
of  the  river  was  small,  the  order  for  the  destruction  of  the  bridge 
was  not  countermanded.  It  will  be  restored  by  means  of  trestle  work 
in  a  few  days. 

The  series  of  events  thus  related,  has  excited  the  utmost  indigna- 
tion of  a  terrified  people,  and  no  abuse,  whether  of  a  personal  or  of- 
ficial bearing,  has  been  spared  me.  Aware,  as  I  am,  that  all  the  troops 
under  your  command,  were  required  at  other  points,  and  that  you  ex- 
pected the  approach  of  the  enemy  to  be  retarded  in  this  quarter,  mainly 
by  the  destruction  of  the  bridges,  I  shall  endeavor  to  endure  this 
storm  of  obliquy,  with  such  equanimity,  as  may  be  vouchsafed  to  me. 

On   Saturday   morning,  the   enemy  set  fire   to   the  West  bridge  at 
Bridgeport,  and  it  was  wholly  destroyed.     Soon  after,  they  evacuated 
,  the  place  precipitately,  and  at  the  last  advices  from  Stevenson,  were 
hastening  iheir  departure  from  that  point. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

D.  LEADBETTER, 
Brigadier  General. 


REFOPLT 


OP    THE 


AFMiE  AT  Princeton; 


REPORT   OF   BRIG.    GENERAL    HUMPHREY    MARSHALL.. 


Camp  near  Jeffersonville,  Va, 
May  22,   1862. 

To  R.  E.  Lee, 

Commanding,  Sfc,  Richmond: 

General:  In  my  last  letter  I  advised  you  that  the  opportune  re- 
turn of  Brigadier  General  Ileth,  with  his  force  to  Dublin  depot,  ren- 
dered it  unnecessary  for  me  to  proceed  in  that  direction.  But  I 
ventured  to  suggest  to  that  officer,  that  a  lateral  movement,  by  mo, 
cutting  the  line  of  the  enemy's  communication  at  Princeton,  might 
assist  him  materially  in  clearing  the  country  of  the  column  which  was 
endeavoring  to  penetrate  to  the  railroad.  General  Ileth  approving 
the  idea,  I  moved  my  whole  force,  at  once,  via  Saltville,  towards  this 
place,  arriving  here  on  the  12th  instant.  I  took  the  responsibility  of 
ordering  to  the  field  some  skeleton  companies,  just  recruited  and  in- 
tended to  form  part  of  a  new  regiment,  authorized  by  an  order  of  tho 
Secretary  of  War,  of  9th  April,  issued  to  Major  McMahon,  formerly  Gen- 
eral Floyd's  Aid-de-Camp.  This  corps,  composed  of  seren  compa- 
nies, so  called,  did  not  number  more  than  four  hundred  men,  and  none  of 
them  were  trained  at  all.  Under  my  order,  tlicy  elected  a  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  for  the  time,  only  to  lead  them  on  this  expedition.  I  also 
took  the  responsibility  of  placing  in  their  hands  the  old  musketa 
turned  in  to  General  Dimmock  by  Colonel  Trigg,  which  I  found  at  Ab- 
ingdon. I  left  Abingdon  with  a  force  composed  of  the  54th  Virginia, 
six  hundred  men ;  the  29th  Virginia,  four  hundred  and  twenty  men  ; 
26 


•11)2 

(four  companies,  wholly  recruits,  three  raised  by  me  this  spring,  and 
one  by  Lieutenant  March)  ;  the  5th  Kentucky,  five  hundred  men  ; 
Dunn's  battalion  of  recruits,  four  hundred  men;  Bradley's  Mounted 
Kentucky  Rifles,  about  tAvo  hundred  and  seventy-five  men,  making  an 
aggregate  of  two  thousand  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  men,  to  which, 
add  JeJTree's  battery  of  six  pieces,  manned  by  recruits  almost  en- 
tirely. 

General  Ileth  desired  a  delay  of  a  day  or  t^YO,  to  reorganize  the 
companies  in  Floyd'-s  brigade,  which  were  under  his  command. 
Having  despatched  couriers  to  Colonel  Wharton,  directing  him  to  meet 
me  in  Princeton,  on  the  night  of  the  16th,  by  advancing  from  Rocky 
Gap ;  and,  hiaving  informed  General  Ileth  (who  was  in  position  at  the 
mouth  of  Wolf  creek,)  thtt  he  should  attack  the  enemy  at  the  mouth 
of  East  river,  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  I  put  my  column  in  motion 
on  the  15th,  and  reached  Princeton  on  the  night  of  the  16th,  My 
advance  was  unexpected  by  Brigadier  General  Cox,  who  had  his  head- 
quarters and  body  guard  at  Princeton  at  the  time,  with  a  force  vari- 
ously estimated  at  from  five  hundred  to  twelve  hundred  men — the 
former  probably  nearer  the  truth  than  the  latter.  The  pickets  of  the 
enemy  were  encountered  by  my  advance  guard  about  four  miles  from 
Princeton,  and  a  skirmish  continued  from  that  place,  through  the  wood- 
lands and  brushwood,  to  a  point  something  over  one  mile  from  the 
court-house.  This  skirmish  was  conducted  by  the  5th  Kentucky, 
from  which  I  lost  Captain  Leonidas  Elliott,  who  fell  mortally 
wounded,  (since  dead),  at  the  head  of  his  company,  while  bravely 
beating  the  enemy  back.  In  this  skirmish  the  enemy  lost  some  six- 
teen or  twenty,  Avho  were  left  on  the  field.  We  had  only  four  wounded 
including  Captain  Elliott.  None  killed.  I  directed  Colonel  Trigg  to 
move  on  the  right  of  the  5th  Kentucky  and  take  the  enemy  in  flank,  and 
so  to  press  on  to  Princeton.  Arriving  at  the  hill,  (subsequently  oc- 
•  cupied  by  mc)  from  which  the  land  drops  into  the  level  vale,  in  which 
Princeton  stands,  a  halt  was  ordered  by  Brigadier  General  Williams, 
and  a  line  of  battle  formed,  with  a  view  of  bringing  up  the  artillery 
to  shell  the  town  from  that  point.  I  thought  it  best  to  take  the  place  by 
small  arms,  and  though  daylight  was  now  nearly  gone,  I  ordered  the 
battalions  forAvard  ;  Trigg  leading  to  the  right ;  May  next ;  ]Moore's  and 
Bradley's  men  next,  so  as  to  move  on  the  place  through  the  meadows  and 
by  the  road  avc  had  traveled.  In  half  an  hour  a  sharp,  hot  fire  on  the 
right,  announced  Col,  Trigg  in  contact  with  the  enemy.  Fire,  from  a 
regiment,  is  seldom  more  steady  than  this  I  refer  to.  Succeeded  by  a 
'/eneral  shout,  and  then  by  absolute  silence,  which  lasted  at  least  an 
hour  and  a  half  before  I  received  any  message  from  the  troops  in 
front,  really,  I  did  not  know  but  that  we  had  met  a  check,  and 
that  regimental  commanders  were  arranging  for  a  new  assault.  As 
everything  had  to  be  left  to  them,  under  such  circumstances,  I  waited 
about  half  a  mile  from  town,  placing  my  battery  in  position,  at  once, 
to  command  the  town  and  our  road,  I  supported  the  battery  with 
Dunn's  battalion.  After  awhile  I  was  informed  that  the  enemy  had 
fled  before  us,  leaving  his  tents,  clothes,  swords,  officers'  uniforms,  and 
■  even  the  lights  burning  in  his  tents. 


403 

It  is  probable  had  wc  not  halted  before  niglitfall,  wo  might  have 
captured  mahy  prisoners,  possibly  the  General  himself;  for  I  was 
informed  he  did  not  leave  town  until  twilight.  But  none  of  us  could 
foresee,  and  so  far  as  I  know,  every  one  acted  for  the  best.  The  regi- 
ments went  in  with  hearty  good  will  and  promptly.  Major  Bradley 
lost  one  of  his  men,  Weeden,  of  llalladay's  company.  Trigg  had 
some  si.x  men  wounded,  one  of  whom,  private  Carter  of  company  1, 
was  mortally  wounded.  So  the  town  of  Princeton  fell  into  ray  hands 
about  10  P.  M.,  on  the  16th  of  May  ;  the  line  of  the  enemy's  com- 
munication with  Raleigh  was  cut,  and  the  headquarters  of  the 
"  Kanawa  Division"  was  abruptly  stampeded.  A  mas3  of  correspon- 
dence fell  into  my  hands.  Letters  and  orders,  dated  from  the  10th  down 
to  the  16th  of  May,  fully  disclose  the  intentions  of  the  enemy  and 
his  strength.  I  send  you  several  of  these  for  your  perusal.  I  learned 
from  the  inhabitants  of  Princeton,  that  on  the  morning  of  the  15th, 
the  two  regiments,  about  91  Hi  men  each,  had  passed  through  town 
towards  east  river,  and  that  two  regiments  had  been  expected  to  arrive 
at  8  P.  M.,  from  Raleigh,  the  very  evening  I  came.  I  had  a  knov/- 
ledge  that  one  or  more  regiments  had  passed  on  to  the  mouth  of  east 
river,  by  the  road  from  Dunlap,  v>'ithout  coming  through  Princeton. 
Combining  the  information  I  had  from  the  letters  captured,  with  the 
news  I  received  from  the  people  in  Princeton,  I  learned  that  I  was  in 
the  neighborhood  of  at  least  four  regiments,  of  which  General  Heth 
had  no  knowledge.  My  own  position  had  suddenly  become  very  critical. 
I  had  only  heard  from  Colonel  Wharton  that  he  had  not  passed  east 
river  mountain,  on  the  mornina;  of  the  loth.  He  had  not  arrived  at 
Princeton  on  the  night  of  the  IGth,  as  I  had  directed  and  desired.  I 
did  not  know  the  direction  in  which  General  Cox  had  retired,  whether 
to  east  river  or  Raleigh  ;  but  Avhetherin  the  one  or  the  other  direction, 
I  had  no  assurance  but  that  the  morroAV  would  find  me  struggling,  with 
ray  force,  raore  than  half  of  Avhom  were  undrilled  recruits,  againnt 
largely  superior  numbers  of  well  trained  troops,  of  every  arm. 
Casting  about  as  well  as  I  could  at  night,  to  catch  an  idea  of  the  topo- 
graphy, I  found  that  the  ruins  of  Princeton  occupy  a  knole  in  tlie 
centre  of  some  open  level  meadows,  entirely  surrounded  by  woodlands, 
with  thick  undergrowth,  which  fringe  the  open  grounds,  and  that 
through  the  entire  circuit  about  the  town,  the  central  position  at  the 
court-house  can  be  commanded  by  the  cnfiold  rillc.  Roads  lead  in 
through  these  woods  in  several  directions.  My  men  had  marched  19 
miles  during  the  day,  had  slept  none,  and  were  scattered  among  the 
houses  and  tents,  to  discover  what  had  been  left  by  the  enemy.  I  at 
once  determined  to  withdraw  from  the  ruins  before  dawn,  and  to  take 
position  within  range  of  the  town  eitc.  so  as  to  cover  the  road  by 
which  I  entered.  This  I  efTccted,  the  dawn  finding  me  in  the  act  of 
completing  the  operation.  My  force  was  marched  from  the  town. 
After  daylight,  I  received  a  dispatch  from  Colonel  Wharton,  dated  the 
16th,  at  the  cross  roads,  eleven  miles  from  Princeton,  promising  to 
come  to  town  by  9  A.  M  ,  on  the  17th.  Before  he  arrived,  the  enemy 
had  re-entered  the  town,  a  force  I  could  not  estimate,  but  which  was 
provided  with  artillery,  and  displayed  more  than  two  full  regiments. 


404 

Colonel  Wharton  ."rrived  in  the  neighborhood  by  the  road  leading  in 
from  tlie  cro-is  roads,  a  little  after  9  A.  M,  The  enemy  was  at  the 
time  throwing  forward  his  skirniishers,  to  dispute  with  mine  the  woods 
and  points  overhanging  the  road,  which  led  in  from  the  cross  roads  to 
Princeton,  which  road  ran  nearly  parallel  to  the  one  by  which  1  had 
advanced.  I  had  written  to  Colonel  Wharton  to  press  on,  and  he 
would  have  the  enemy  in  flank.  The  Colonel  opened  with  his  single 
piece  of  artillery,  a  little  after  nine  upon  my  right,  and  the  batteries 
in  town  anrl  at  my  position,  at  once  opened  upon  each  other  at  long 
r;ui;:e.  Colonel  Wharton  soon  came  to  me  to  report  his  position  and 
force.  The  force  was  about  800  men.  My  estimate  is,  I  now  ha^- 
some  2, SOD  men,  ol  whom,  one  half  were  raw  recruits.  A  regiment 
of  the  enemy  coming  down  from  the  direction  of  the  cross  roads  to 
Princeton,  about  this  time  appeared  in  the  rear  of  Colonel  Wharton's 
command,  and  were  attacked  by  it  furiously.  The  struggle  lasted  but 
a  short  time.  The  havoc  in  the  enemy's  ranks  was  terrible.  Colonel 
W.  reports  to  me  211,  as  the  dead  and  wounded  of  the  enemy.  I 
understand  that  more  than  80  bodies  were  buried  on  the  field.  The 
enemy  appeared  with  a  flag  of  truce,  asking  to  bury  their  dead,  and 
to  remove  their  wounded.  I  refused,  but  hearing  after  about  an  hour, 
tJiat  .'ome  officer  had  allowed  it,  and  that  the  enemy  were  then  engaged 
in  burying,  1  directed  Brigadier  General  Williams  to  permit  the 
ambuLjnccs  of  the  enemy  to  pass  along  my  right,  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  away  the  wounded  also.  There  was  no  further  battle.  I 
waited  for  news  from  Brigadier  General  lleth,  or  to  learn  of  his 
approach  to  Piinceton,  as  the  signal  for  a  general  engageuient  with 
the  enemy.  It'  ]3rigadier  General  lleth  had  successfully  attacked  at 
the  mouth  of  east  river  in  the  morning  as  requested  to  do,  he  might  be 
hourly  expected  to  communicate  his  approach  to  Princeton,  by  his 
couriers  or  his  artillery.  If  he  had  not  attacked,  but  was  still  at  the 
mouth  of  Wolf  creek,  it  would  be  imprudent  in  me  to  assail  the  enemy, 
for  the  probability  was  strong  that  he  would  hazard  the  assault  himself 
against  any  position,  attempting  to  beat  me,  while  he  pieserved  his 
front  against  lleth. 

W  General  Ilcth  could,  by  means  of  ray  diversion,  get  through  the 
narrows  of  New  river,  our  forces  should  join  the  night  of  the  17th, 
and  then,  combined,  we  could  fight  on  the  18th  the  whole  force  of  the 
enemy,  and  if  successful,  could  pursue  his  vancjuished  coluuin  to 
Raleigh,  burn  his  stores  and  press  our  advantage  as  far  as  we  desired. 
Tills  was  my  reasoning.  I  would  not  move  upon  the  town  in  the  eve- 
ning of  the  17th  :  1st,  because  the  result  would  then  be  problematical 
and  that  problem  would  likely  be  favorably  solved  on  the  arrival  of 
General  lleth's  command.  A  grand  result  would  then  be  easily  ob- 
tained. Had  T  attacked  under  the  circumstances,  and  had  I  failed, 
nothing  could  have  shielded  me  from  condemnation  as  a  rash  ofiicer, 
who  perilled  all  and  lost  all,  when  a  few  more  hours  would  have  doubled 
his  force.  I  confidently  expected,  at  nightfall  on  the  17th,  that  the 
enemy,  in  superior  force,  wouhl  attack  me  in  the  morning,  or  that  a 
junction  with  General  lleth  would  enable  me  to  attack  his  whole  force, 
which  was  apparently  concentrated  around  Princeton,     lie  was  in 


405 

plain  view  under  my  glass — his  wagons  deliberately  parked,  his  regi- 
ments exercising,  and  all  the  appearance  given  which  indicate  the 
purpose  to  give  battle.  My  force  was  masked  to  him.  lie  could  have 
no  idea  of  its  amount.  In  this  fact  was  my  safety,  until  Ileth 
could  come  up.  It  seems  Brigadier  General  Ilcth  did  advance 
to  the  mouth  of  the  East  river,  and  found  the  enemy  had  abandoneJ 
tents  and  camp  equipage,  both  there  and  at  French's,  where  he  had 
been  fortifying.  The  General  passed  on,  until  ho  came  within  four  or 
five  miles  of  Princeton,  on  the  evening  of  the  17th,  when,  hearing  in 
the  country  from  somebody  that  I  had  been  repulsed  and  was  retreating, 
he  fell  back  in  the  night  to  the  mouth  of  East  river.  His  courier  ar- 
rived at  my  position,  (one  mile  from  the  court-house)  about  9  A.  M., 
on  the  18th,  conveying  to  me  the  information  that  General  Ileth^s 
force  was  now  so  required  in  another  direction  as  to  forbid  further 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  Avith  a  request  to  return  Colonel  Wharton  to  a 
post  in  the  district  of  New  river,  indicated  by  the  General  co.nmandiug 
said  district.  The  enemy  had,  during  the  night,  vacated  Princeton, 
taking  the  Raleigh  road,  his  rear  passing  Blue  Stone  river  about  sun- 
rise. I  ordered  my  battalion  of  Mounted  Rifles  to  follow  him.  I 
ascertained  that  on  the  night  of  the  18th  he  encamped  about  10  miles 
from  Princeton,  in  a  very  strong  position,  having  some  seven  regi- 
nvents  with  him  in  retreat,  in  all  from  five  to  seven  thousand  men. 
On  the  19th,  I  again  sent  forward  on  his  line  of  retreat  and  asccrtaiiiei 
that  he  had  passed  the  Flat  Top  mountains,  had  burned  some  of  his 
caissons  and  gun  carriages,  and  had  abandone;!  some  of  his  v/agons 
the  preceding  night.  lie  was  now  twenty- five  miles  from  Prince- 
ton. Nothing  was  now  left  to  me  but  to  return  to  the  district 
whose  interests  are  under  my  charge.  I  left  a  compan}-  of 
mounted  men  at  Princeton,  with  orders  to  remain  until  General 
Ileth  couid  relieve  them,  and  with  the  rest  of  my  command  I  returned 
to  this  point.  I  left  71  of  the  enemy  wounded  in  hospital  at  Prince- 
ton, too  badly  shot  to  be  moved  at  all.  His  surgeons  were  left  in 
attendance,  and  a  chaplain  was  permitted  to  be  with  them.  I  return  a 
list  of  29  prisoners.  The  men  themselves  have  been  marclied  to 
Abingdon,  where  three  others  from  the  same  army  hive  been  confined, 
whose  names  you  have  already.  My  quartermaster  has  made  return 
of  our  captures,  among  which  I  may  mention  about  3.>  milc-^  of  tele- 
graph wire,  horses,  mules,  saddles,  pack-saddles,  medical  instruments, 
medicines  in  paniers,  tents,  a  few  stores,  18  head  of  cattle,  a  number 
of  wagons  and  some  excellent  muskets  and  rifles.  These  last  have 
been  taken  in  charge  by  my  ordnance  officers,  and  will  be  issued  to 
my  command  unless  otherwise  ordered. 

Reviewing  the  whole  movement,  I  have  only  to  regret  that  Brigadier 
General  Heth  did  not  join  me  on  the  17th,  and  di«l  not  communicate 
to  me  his  whereabouts  during  the  day  or  night.  All  was  accomplished 
that  I  anticipated  from  the  movement,  except  the  capture  of  priscnicnt. 
The  inva^'ion  has  been  signally  repulsed  anil  the  enemy  has  been  de- 
morali/,ed  and  broken.  The  countrv  ho  threatened  so  imminently  has 
been  relieved.  It  is  a  triumph  of  strategy  merely,  without  loss  on 
our  part.      My  list  of  casualties  will  only  exhibit  two  killed  on  the 


406 

field  and  two  seriously  wounded,  who  will  die,  and  some  ten  or  twelve 
wounded,  but  not  dangerously.  The  cneuiy  has  lost  largely,  and  indeed. 
I  should  not  be  surprised,  if  in  killed  and  wounded,  his  'loss  reaches 
four  hundred.  One  of  his  regiments  scattered  in  the  woods,  threw 
away  guns  and  uniforms,  and  its  members  are  daily  picked  up  by  the 
country  people. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

H.  MARSHALL, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 


ARTICLES  CAPTURED  FROM  THE  ENEMY  AT  PRINCE- 
TON,  VIRGINIA. 


Camp  at  Tiffany's, 


LT  Tiffany  s,  > 

May  21st,  1862.    S 


Brigadier  General  Marshall, 

Commanding,  etc.  : 


General:  I  have  to  report  the  following  articles  captured  from  the 
enemy  at  Princeton,  Va.,  on  the  16th  and  17th  instants,  viz  : 

12  bell  tents. 

2  wall  tents  and  flies.  • 

5  horses. 
18  mules. 
35  pack  saddles. 

4  wagons. 
A  lot  of  incomplete  harness. 

Respectfully, 

W.  F.  FISHER, 
Major  and  Chief  Q.  31.,  Army  E.  Ky. 


LIST  OF  PRISONERS    CAPTURED   AT   PRINCETON,  MER- 
CER COUNTY,  VIRGINIA. 


May  leth,  17th,  18th,  1862. 
Of  tlie  2Sth  Ohio,  Colonel  Moore  : 

Private  Charles  Cross,  company  G. 

**         Daniel  Chanterap,  " 

"         John  Yagel,    company  H, 

**     ■    H.  A.  Miller,  " 

*'         Charles  Hertwick,  company  F. 

*'  Christian  Ludwig,         "       C. 

Corporal  John  Keen,  "      C. 

12th  Ohio,  Colonel  White. 
Private    John  Klein,      -     company  E. 

Zith  Ohio,  Colonel  Seiber. 

Private    Frederick  Rock,  company  A. 

M.  Kohl,  ''  A. 

"         Thomas  Kemper,  "  C. 

Frank  Krobs,  "  K. 

"         Henry  Bergcichen,  "  F. 

Paul  Kapff,  "  II. 

Charles  Groth,  "  H. 

Corpor'l  Jacob  Rauft,  *'  II. 

Private    Henry  Rothenberg,  "  K. 

23d  Ohio,  Colonel  Scammon. 

Private   Leonard  Beck,    -  company  C. 
"         W.  B.  Waterhouse,         "      C. 

34;/i  Ohio,  Colonel  Pratt. 

Captain  0.  P.  Evans,     -     company  B. 
Private  George  W.  Thompson,     "      K. 

"         David  Coleman,  "■      C. 

"         Frank  M.  Curl,  "      F. 

*«         Anthony  Eblehart,         **      F. 


409 

Private  Michael  Kelly,    -     company  I. 
"  Jacob  Fasnacht,  "       I. 

*'         M.  A.  Blakcman,  "      D. 

2d  Virginia  Cavalry,  Colonel  Bowles. 
Private    Robert  Murphy,    company  K,  (Irishman.) 

Camp  Near  Jeffersonville,  Va. 

The  above  is  a  list  of  prisoners,  except  one  wounded  man,  in  hos- 
pital, whose  name  I  have  not  yet  learned.  They  consist  of  seventeen 
Germans,  one  Irishman,  and  ten  native  Ohioans.  Some  of  the  Ger- 
mans are  not  naturalized.  Besides  these  there  are  two  citizens  of 
Mercer  county,  not  reported  herein,  taken  up  on  charge  of  disloyalty. 

HIRAM  HAWKINS, 

Major  and  Officer  of  the  Day. 
General  Marshall  : 


LETTERS  FOUND  IN  GENERAL  COX'S  CAMP. 


Headquarters  23d  Reg't  0.  V.  Inf.,  U.  S.  A.,  \ 

Adj'ts  Office,  Camp  at  mouth  of  East  River,      > 

May  \4th,  1862.  ) 

My  Dear  Parents:  I  again  set  down,  pen  in  hand,  to  inform  you 
of  ray  whereabouts.  I  wrote  you  a  letter  while  I  was  at  Princeton, 
enclosing  you  $10.00,  and,  I  believe,  informing  you  that  the  regiment 
had  left  Princeton  for  Giles  Court  House,  (or  as  it  is  more  properly 
called  Pearisburg).  I  was  left  behind  to  take  care  of  the  tents  and 
office,  until  the  train  could  come  back  and  move  us  on.  I  left  there 
on  the  10th  inst.,  and  we  had  not  proceeded  but  a  few  miles,  when  we 
met  a  courier  with  dispatches,  saying  that  our  regiment  had  been  at- 
tacked at  Pearisburg  and  driven  back.  He  said  they  had  retreated  about 
five  miles.  The  rebel  force  was  about  4,000,  and  6  pieces  of  artillery. 
They  drove  in  our  pickets  about  daylight,  and  as  our  men  had  no  ar- 
tillery with  them,  were  obliged  to  retreat.  Therefore,  Col.  Hayes 
ordered  the  regiment  to  fall  back,  which  was  done  in  good  order,  our 
men  fighting  as  they  fell  back,  and  fairly  mowing  the  rebels  down.  As 
soon  as  they  could  get  their  cannon  to  bear  on  us,  they  commenced 
shelling  us,  but  they  were  very  poor  artillerists,  as  most  of  their 
shells  burst  30  feet  over  the  boys'  heads.  As  it  was,  there  was  only 
one  man  killed,  and  a  number  wounded.  The  regiment  would  never 
have  been  driven  back,  if  our  artillery  had  been  sent  up  when  it  ought 
to  have  been.  Our  regiment  is  now  encamped  about  12  miles  from 
Pearisburg.  We  Avill  have  a  very  strong  force,  when  we  move  forward 
again — enough  to  take  Pearisburg,  and  go  right  on  to  Nowbern.  There 
are  now  here,  3  regiments,  viz:  23d,  12th  and  30th,  which  form  the 
1st  brigade,  under  the  command  of  Col.  E.  P.  Scammon. 

There  are  6  more  regiments  expected  up  here  in  a  day  or  two,  the 
26th,  34th,  27th,  48th,  47th,  and  25th,  which  will  form  the  2d  and  3d 
brigades,  besides,  about  4  regiments  of  cavalry,  and  a  number  of  bat- 
teries of  artillery — in  all,  about  12,000  effective  men,  commanded  by 
Brigadier  General  Cox.  The  23d  will  have  the  post  of  honor — the 
advance.  Our  boys  captured  a  quantity  of  secesh  money — Jeff  Davis 
scrip  at  Pearisburg,  in  the  bank.  The  people  around  there  would  not 
take  our  Treasury  notes,  they  had  rather  have  Jeff"  Davis'  scrip.  You 
may  bet  we  were  willing.  We  go  out  into  the  country  and  buy  chick- 
ens with  it,  and  they  will  give  us  silver  in  exchange,  if  our  purchases 


411 

do  not  come  to  the  full  amount  of  the  bill.     I  will  enclose  you  one  of 
them. 

I  received  a  letter  from  Helen,  while  at  Princeton,  the  day  after  I 
had  written  one  to  her.  I  will  write  again,  soon.  Direct  your  next 
letter  to  Pearisburg,  Va.  Be  sure  and  write  the  number  of  the  regi- 
ment plain,  as  there  are  so  many  of  us  here,  now,  there  will  be  a  good 
many  mistakes.  Write  as  soon  as  you  can.  llemember  me  to  every 
body,  and  believe,  me, 

Your  affectionate  son, 

H.  0.  LOOMIS, 
Care  of  Lt   M.  C.  Avery,  Adft  2Sd  regimemt,  0.  V.,  Pearisburg,  Va. 


Princeton,  W.  Va.,  ) 

May  tilt  \Wi,  1862.  i 

Dkar  Sister  :  I  take  my  pen  in  hand,  to  write  you  a  few  lines,  to 
let  you  know  where  and  how  I  am.  I  am  well,  and  I  hope  you  are 
the  same.  I  have  received  three  letters  from  you  since  I  have  written 
one.  The  reason  I  don't  write  oftener,  is,  that  I  don't  have  time.  I 
am  now  in  Princeton,  Mercer  county,  Virginia.  There  are  six  thousand 
soldiers  here.  We  expect  to  have  a  big  battle  in  two  or  three  days. 
The  secesh  are  only  ten  miles  from  us,  well  fortified,  and  ten  thousand 
strong,  and  they  can  be  reinforced  in  twelve  hours,  while  we  can't  get 
reinforced  in  twelve  days.  I  think  we  will  have  a  hard  fight  of  it.  If 
■we  take  them,  the  fight  may  be  over,  before  you  get  this.  W^e  have 
marched  fifty  miles  in  two  days.  Our  company  ain't  with  the  regi- 
ment now,  but  we  will  be  to-morrow ;  then  we  will  march  in  on  them. 
The  regiments  are  the  34th,  37th,  28th,  30th,  23d,  and  12th, 
and  one  battalion  cavalry,  and  two  battery's.  Henry  Sccrist  is  in  one 
of  the  batteries.  I  saw  all  the  boys  in  company  H  ;  they  are  all  well. 
I  haven't  heard  from  Marcus  or  Andrew  Griffin,  since  I  left  Barbours- 
ville.  I  would  like  to  hear  from  them,  but  I  don't  know  where  they 
are  now.  Dave  Lemon  is  working  on  the  telegraph,  helping  to  put 
it  up.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  Georgia  is  well,  and  that  mother  got  the 
money  I  sent  her.  Send  me  a  dollar's  worth  of  postage  stamps.  I 
havu't  time  to  write  any  more.     Direct  to 

LEWaS  BOYD, 
Co.  B,  54th  regiment.  Western  Va.,  by  way  of  Gauley  Bridge. 


Camp  East  River,  in  the  MouNTAI^S,  ) 

May  \'Uh,  1862.  j 

Dear  Friknp  Abner  :  You  will  please  pardon  me  for  not  writing 
to  you  sooner,  in  answer  to  yours  from  Washington.  I  did  not,  how- 
ever, get  it,  till  it  was  an  old  letter,  as  it  was   directed  to  Charleston, 


412 

s 

and  not  in  care  of  the  regiment,  and  lay  in  the  Post  Office  for  some 
time  before  I  got  it.  So  I  thought  best  to  wait  till  wc  got  on  the 
march,  and  I  might,  perhaps,  have  more  of  interest  to  tell  you. 

Well,  here  we  are.  within  three  miles  of  the  enemy,  in  force,  and 
strongly  fortified  with  a  much  larger  force,  than  we  have  now,  from 
what  we  can  learn,  and  can  receive  reinforcements  at  any  time  by  rail 
road  from  Richmond.  They  would  only  have  to  march  about  twenty- 
five  miles,  to  get  here  from  Newbern  depot.  Besides,  we  are  without 
tents,  and  but  very  little  provisions,  and  raining.  So  you  see,  we  are 
in  a  deplorable  fix,  '*  ain't  we  ?"  But  we  are  active  foragers,  and  as 
long  as  there  is  anything  in  the  mountains  to  eat,  we  are  not  going  to 
starve.  And  we  have  got  so  used  to  the  rain,  that  we  can  sleep  about 
as  well  when  the  rain  is  pouring  down  upon  us,  as  when  it  is  clear 
star-light.  So  that,  notwithstanding  the  discouraging  appearance  of 
things,  we  are  in  good  spirits,  and  expect  to  be  in  Newbern  in  a  few 
days,  and  then  we  will  have  plenty  to  eat,  tents  to  sleep  in,  and  ride 
on  the  railroad,  *' perhaps."  \Ve  left  Charleston  on  the  3d,  leaving 
everything  behind,  except  what  we  really  had  to  have.  The  road, 
most  of  the  way,  is  rather  rough,  being  up  one  mountain  side  and 
down  the  other,  the  entire  way.  We  found  the  country  very  poor, 
and  but  few  inhabitants  on  the  route ;  the  houses  being  of  the  very 
poorest  description,  and  many  of  them  being  deserted,  having  been 
occupied  by  secesh.  We  came  through  Fayettevillc,  Berkley  and 
Princeton,  — the  latter  town  had  been  burned  by  the  rebels,  on  the 
approach  of  our  advance,  they  having  hail  several  skirmishes  on  the 
way.  The  23d  0.  V,  I.  were  in  advance,  with  the  2nd  battalion,  V. 
V.  M.  R.,  and  had  advanced  to  Giles,  the  next  county  seat,  and  had 
captured  a  large  amount  of  provisions,  etc.,  but  being  without  artille- 
ry support,  were  driven  out  the  day  previous  to  our  arrival,  and  had 
to  fall  back  to  this  point,  the  mouth  of  East  River,  (that  is,  if  I  have 
been  correctly  informed  as  to  the  name  of  the  stream,  which  empties 
into  New  River  here.  We  are  within  about  eight  miles  of  Giles,  and 
we  have  to  go  through  what  is  called  the  Narrows — a  paasage  through 
a  very  high  mountain  range,  through  Avhich  New  River  runs — the 
road  running  with  the  river.  At  this  place,  the  rebels  are  now  forti- 
fied, and  receiving  reinforcements,  and  seem  determined  to  prevent 
our  going  through;  But  I  guess  we  will  not  go  back  from  here  with- 
out a  little  fight,  even  should  we  not  get  to  our  destination,  (Newbern). 
The  object  of  this  expedition  is  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  enemy 
from  Richmond.  It  is  rather  a  dangerous  undertaking,  as  the  enemy 
can  turn  all  the  force  against  us,  if  they  have  a  mind  to,  it  being  their 
direct  route,  southward  by  railroad.  If  we  don't  have  to  lay  here  too 
long  waiting  for  our  other  force,  I  have  no  fear  of  our  success.  All 
depends  upon  our  getting  there,  before  the  rebels  can  reinforce  suffi- 
cient to  keep  us  back.  I  am,  fearful,  however,  that  we  have  been  lay- 
ing here  too  long  now,  but  we  were  almost  worn  out  on  arriving  here, 
having  made  a  forced  march  of  nearly  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  8 
days,  and  being  destiti^te  as  I  before  said,  of  everything,  it  was  im- 
possible to  go  any  further  with  an  enemy,  at  the  same  time  to  drive 
him  ahead  of  us,  stronger  than  we  were.     /  think  tocHl  move  to-night; 


413 

I  dare  not  tell  you  what  our  force  is  till  we  get  through.  We  arc  in  Col.  Scam- 
mon's  brigade,  and  in  Gen.  Cox's  division.  I  have  no  idea  what  is 
going  on  any  where  in  the  world,  but  here.  I  am  in  hopes,  however, 
that  Richmond  is  in  our  possession  by  this  time,  and  also,  the  Missis- 
sippi valley,  to  the  Gulf.  If  so,  the  rebellion  is  killed,  and  if  there 
is  any  more  fighting,  it  Avill  be  guerilla  warfare. 

But  I  must  conclude  this  disconnected  scrawl.  I  thought,  perhaps 
I  could  w  rite  a  letter  when  I  undertook  it,  but  I  am  in  a  wagon  loaded 
with  feed  and  a  little  almost  of  everything  else,  with  horses  hitched 
to  it  and  a  lot  of  teamsters  climbing  in  and  out,  and  gassing  and  curs- 
ing around  me  so,  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  write.  I  will  try  and 
do  better  next  time,  when  I  will  try  and  find  time  to  write  when  it 
ain't  raining.  My  love  to  my  folks  at  home,  and  every  body  else. 
Please  write  soon.  Direct  to  Charleston,  Va.,  to  follow  the  regiment. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

LEM.  M.  MICHAEL. 


RE  FO  PIT 


OF 


ENGAGEMENT  WITH  SMALL  BOAT  OF  THE  ENEMY, 


ON 


CROOKED  KIVER. 


CAPTAIN  HALEY  T.  BLOCKER,  COIMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Camp  Gladden,    ■ 
Wakulla  County,  May  21,  1862. 

Brigadier  General  Joseph  Finegan, 

Commanding  Drp't  of  Middle  and  East  Florida^ 

Tallahassee,  Fla.  : 

General:  I  Lave  the  honor  to  report  tliat  on  yesterday  morning, 
at  3  1-2  o'clock,  I  left  this  camp  -with  a  detachment  of  thirty-three 
men  for  Crooked  river,  at  which  point  we  arrived  at  1  o'clock,  V.  M. 
In  a  short  time  after  our  arrival,  I  discovered  a  boat  leaving  the  block- 
ading vessel  and  approaching  the  mouth  of  said  river.  I  immcfliately 
placed  my  men  in  ambush  on  Carr's  hill,  and  when  the  boat  came  op- 
posite, we  opened  fire  on  the  enemy,  and  killed  or  wounded  all  the 
party  of  twenty-one,  except  four.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that 
my  men  acted  gallantly  throughout  the  whole  affair.  There  was  no 
one  hurt  on  our  side,  although  our  fire  was  returned  from  the  boat. 
Had  my  men  been  properly  armed,  not  one  of  the  enemy  could  have 
escaped. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  General, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

H.  T.  BLOCKER, 
Captain  com,manding  Beauregard  Rangers. 


I^  E  P^  O  PI  T 


OF 


EVACUATION  OF  CORINTH, 


AND 


RETREAT  TO  TUPELO,  MISS. 


G.  T.  BEAUREGARD,  GENERAL,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Western  Department,  > 
Tupelo,  Miss.,  June  13,  1862.      > 

General:  In  relation  to  the  recent  military  operations  in  this- 
quarter,  I  have  to  submit  the  following  for  the  information  of  the  War 
Department  : 

The  purposes  and  en'ds  for  which  I  had  held  and  occupied  Corinth, 
having  been  mainly  accomplished  by  the  hist  of  May,  and  by  the  25th 
of  that  month,  kaving  ascertained  definitely  that  the  enemy  had  re- 
ceived large  accessions  to  his  already  superior  force,  whilst  ours  had 
been  reduced  day  by  day  by  disease,  resulting  from  bad  water  and  in- 
ferior food,  I  felt  it  clearly  my  duty  to  evacuate  tliat  position  without 
delay.  I  was  further  induced  to  this  step  by  the  fact  that  the  enemy 
had  declined  my  offer  of  battle,  twice  made  him,  outside  of  my  en- 
trenched lines,  and  sedulously  avoided  the  separation  of  bis  corps,, 
which  he  advanced  with  uncommon  caution,  under  cover  of  heavy 
guns,  strong  entrenchments,  constructed  with  unusual  hibor,  and  with; 
eingular  delay,  considering  his  strength  and  our  relative  inferiority 
in  numbers. 

27 


418 

The  transparent  object  of  the  Federal  coninian<]or  h:ul  been  to  cut 
off  ray  resources  by  destroying  the  Mobile  and  Ohio,  and  the  Mem- 
phis and  Charleston  railroads.  This  was  substantially  foiledj^v  the 
evacuation  and  withdrawal  along  the  line  of  the  former  ro;»d  ;  and,  if 
followed  by  the  enemy,  remote  from  his  base,  I  confidently  anticipated 
opportunity  for  resumption  of  the  offensive,  with  chances  for  signal 
success. 

Under  tliese  plain  conditions,  on  the  2Gth  ult.,  I  issued  verbally 
several  orders,  copies  of  which  are  herewith,  marked  A,  B  and  C, 
partially  modified  subsequently,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  papers,  etc., 
herewith  marked  D,  E,  F  and  G.  These  orders  were  executed,  I  ara 
happy  to  say,  with  singular  precision,  as  will  be  found  fully  admitted 
in  the  correspondence,  from  the  scene,  of  the  Chicago  "  Tribune," 
herewith  transmitted. 

At  the  time  finally  prescribed,  the  movement  commenced,  and  was 
accomplished  without  the  knowledge  of  the  enemy,  who  only  began  to 
suspect  the  evacuation  after  broad  day-light  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  May,  when,  having  opened  on  our  lines  from  his  formidable  bat- 
teries of  heavy  and  long  range  guns,  erected  the  night  previously,  he 
received  no  answer  from  any  direction.  But  as  our  cavalry  pickets 
still  maintained  their  positions  of  the  previous  day,  he  was  not,  ap- 
parently, fully  satisfied  of  our  movements,  until  some  stores,  of  little 
value  in  the  town,  were  burned,  which  could  not  be  removed. 

It  was  tlien,  to  his  surprise,  the  cniMny  became  satisfied  that  a.large 
army,  approached  and  invested  with  such  extraordinary  preparations, 
expense,  labor  and  timidity,  had  disappeared  from  his  front,  with  all 
its  munitions  and  heavy  guns,  leaving  him  .without  knowledge,  as  I 
am  assured,  whither  it  had  gone  ;  for  his  scouts  were  scattered  in  all 
directions,  as  I  have  since  ascertained,  to  inquire  what  directions  our 
forces  had  taken.  p]ven  now,  indeed,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  the 
■Federal  commander  has  little  knowledge  of  the  position  and  disposi- 
tion of  my  main  forces. 

But  for  the  unfortunate  and  needless  delay,  on  the  Mem))hls  and 
Charleston  railroad,  of  some  five  trains  of  box  cars,  (three  miscella- 
neously freighted,  and  two  empty,  in  passing  beyond  the  bridges  over 
ithe  Ilatchie  river  and  its  branches,  which  in  the  plan  of  evacuation  had 
been  directed  to  be  destroyed,  at  a  certain  hour,  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  ultimo,  not  an  incident  would  have  marred,  in  the  least,  the  suc- 
cess of  the  evacuation,  in  the  face  of  a  force  so  largely  superior.  It 
was,  however,  through  a  too  rigid  execution  of  orders,  that  these 
bridges  were  burned,  and  we  were  obliged  to  destroy  the  trains,  as  far 
as  practicable,  and  burn  the  stores,  including  some  valuable  subsist- 
ence, to  what  extent  will  be  more  precisely  reported  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable. 

The  troops  moved  off  in  good  spirits  and  order,  prepared  to  give 
battle,  if  pursued,  but  no  serious  pursuit  was  attempted.  Remaining 
in  rear  of  the  Tuscunibia  and  its  aflluents,  some  six  miles  from  Cor- 
inth, long  enough  to  collect  stragglers  incident  to  new  levies,  my  main 
forces  resumed  the  march,  and  were  concentrated  on  Baldwin,  with 
rear  guards  left  to  hold  the  bridges  across   the   Tuscumbia  and  tribu- 


419 

taries,  which  were  not  drawn   back   until   the   evening   of  the  second 
instant. 

Whilst  at  Ricnzi,  half  way  to  Baldwin,  I  was  informed  that  en  the 
morning  of  the  3i)th  ult.  a  detachment  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  had 
penetrated  toBoonville,  eight  miles  south  of  Rionzi,  and  had  captured 
and  burned  a  railroad  train  of  ammunition,  bnggage  and  subsistence, 
delayed  there  forty-eight  hours  by  some  mismanagement.  I  regret  to 
add  that  the  enemy  also  burned  the  railroad  depot,  in  which  were,  at 
the  moment,  a  number  of  dead  bodies,  and  at  least  four  sick  soldiers 
of  this  arm3%  who  were  consumed;  an  act  of  barbarism  scarccdy  cred- 
ible, and  without  a  precedent  to  my  knowledge,  in  civilized  warfare. 

Upon  the  opportune  appearance  in  a  sliort  time,  however,  of  an  in- 
ferior force  of  cavalry,  the  enemy  left  in  great  haste  and  confusion, 
after  having  received  one  volley.  Only  one  of  our  men  was  carried 
away  by  him.  Quite  a  considerable  number  of  stragglers,  and  of  our 
sick  and  convalescent,  en  route  to  southern  hospitals,  who  for  a  few 
moments  had  fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands,  were  rescued.  Tbosc  are 
the  2,1  H)()  men  untruthfully  reported  by  Generals  Pope  and  Ilalleck 
to  their  War  Department,  as  "  captured  and  paroled"  *on  that  occa- 
sion. 

I  desire  to  record  that  one  Colonel  Elliott,  of  the  Federal  army, 
commanded  in  this  raid,  and  is  responsible  for  the  cruel  death  of  our 
sick. 

As  for  the  10, ()()()  stand  of  small  arms,  also  reported  by  these  officers 
as  destroyed,  the  truth  is,  that  not  to  exceed  1 ,5')0,  mostly  inferior  mus- 
kets, were  lost  on  that  occasion. 

I  had  intimations  of  this  expedition  the  day  before  the  evacuation, 
and  had  detacheil  immediately  suitable  commands  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  to  foil  its  purposes,  »nd  to  protect  the  bridges  on  the  line  of 
my  march.  Unfortunately  the  infantry  passed  through  and  south  of 
Booneville,  but  a  little  while  before  the  enemy  made  his  descent ;  the' 
cavalry,  as  before  said,  reached  there  in  timo  only  to  rescue  our  men, 
who  had  been  captured. 

Equally  inaccurate,  reckless,  anl  unworthy  arc  the  statements  of 
these  Federal  commanders  in  their  several  official  rc.ioit^  by  tale- 
graph,  bearing  date?  of  the  3:)th  and  3 1st  of  May,  and  of  1st,  21 
and  4th  of  June,  as  published  in  Cin^inniti  and  Ciicxgo  journals, 
touching  the  amount  of  property  and  stores  dostroyc  1  by  us  at  Cor- 
inth, and  General  Pope's  allege  1  pressing  pursuit. 

Major  General  llalleck's  dispatch,  of  4th.  June,  may  particularly 
be  characterized  as  disgracefully  untrue  :  possibly,  however,  he  was 
duped  by  his  subordinate.  Nothing,  for  example,  can  be  wider  froia 
the  truth  than  that  1U,()I»{)  men  and  15,0  K)  small  arms  of  this  army 
were  captured  or  lost.  In  adilition  to  those  destroyed  at  Booneville, 
some  5!>0  inferior  small  arms  were  accidentally  kd't  by  convalescents 
in  a  camp,  four  miles  south  of  Corinth. 

No  artillery  of  any  description  was  lost ;  no  clothing.  No  tents 
worth  removal  were  left  standing.  In  fine  the  letters  of  newspaper 
correspondents,  enclosed,  give  a  correct  statcmont,  both  as  to  the  con- 
duct of  the  retreat,  the  scanty  spoils  of  w^r   Irft  behind,   the   actual 


420 

barrenness  of  substantial  results  to  the  enemy,  and  exhibit  his  doubt, 
perplexity  and  ignorance  concerning  the  movements  of  this  army, 

Baldwin  was  found  to  offer  no  advantages  of  a  defensive  character, 
and  being  badly  provided  with  water,  I  determined  to  fall  back  upon 
this  point,  some  20  miles  south,  52  miles  from  Corinth,  and  here  to 
await  the  developments  of  the  enemy's  plans  and  movements. 

Accordingly,  leaving  Baldwin  on  the  7th.  (see  papers  appended 
marked  II,)  the  main  body  of  my  forces  was  assembled  here  on  the 
9th  inst.,  leaving  all  the  approaches  from  Corinth  carefully  guarded 
by  a  competent  force  of  cavalry  under  an  eflScient  oflBcer,  who  occu- 
pied a  line  1 5  miles  north  of  this  place. 

Supported  by  my  general  officers,  I  am  doing  all  practicable  to  or- 
ganize for  defensive  operations,  whensoever  any  movement  of  the  en- 
emy may  give  the  opportunity,  which  I  anticipate  as  not  remote. 

I  feel  authorized  to  say,  by  the.  evacuation,  the  plan  of  campaign 
of  the  enemy  was  utterly  foiled,  his  delay  of  seven  weeks,  and  vast 
expenditures  were  of  little  value,  and  he  has  reached  Corinth  to  find 
it  a  barren  locality,  which  he  must  abandon  as  wholly  worthless  for 
his  purposes. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General,  commanding. 
General  Sam.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  General,  C.  S.  A., 
Richmond,  Va. 

P.  S. — My  effective  force  on  the  morning  of  the  evacuation,  30th 
May,  18G2,  did  not  exceed  47,000  men  of  all  arms ;  that  of  the  ene- 
my, obtained  from  the  best  source  of  information,  could  not  have  been 
less  than  1)0,0  lO  men  of  all  arms. 

(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General,  commanding. 


421 

[A.] 

(Strictly  Confidential.) 

Headquarters  Cavalry,  W.  D.,  ) 
Corinth,  Miss;,  May  26tb,  1862.      \ 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  > 

No.  30.  ] 

I.  Captain  Mauldin,  commanding  company  cavalry  at  Bear  creek 
bridge,  will  hold  his  command  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moments 
notice  towards  Baldwin  or  Guntown,  on  the  M.  and  O.  11.  R.  lie 
will,  when  orders  to  remove  are  received,  thoroughly  destroy  all 
bridges,  both  of  railroads  and  ordinary  roads  on  Bear  creek  and  its 
tributaries,  and  all  bridges  on  his  line  of  march.  Should  the  enemy 
force  him  to  fall  back,  before  orders  to  do  so  have  been  received,  he 
will  burn  all  bridges  as  above  instructed. 

II.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  cavalry  on  and  near  the  Ten- 
nessee river,  will,  if  compelled  by  the  enemy  to  fail  back,  move  in  the 
direction  of  Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  or  Columbus,  Miss. 

III.  The  commanding  officer  of  cavalry,  at  or  near  Rienzi,  will  fol- 
low the  movements  of  the  army  when  they  pass  Rienzi,  with  his  entire 
force. 

IV.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  cavalry  forces  at  or  near  Jacinto, 
will  report  at  once,  in  person,  to  General  Van  Dorn,  for  orders,  and 
v.ill,  until  further  orders,  receive  all  of  his  orders  from  General  Van 
Dorn. 

V.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  troops  at  Chewalla  and  Cypress, 
will  hold  their  commands  in  readiness  to  move  on  short  notice  by  tl>e 
most  direct  route  to  Kossuth.  When  commencing  this  movement,  they 
will  thoroughly  destroy  the  Cypress  bridge,  and  all  the  railroad  and 
mud  road  bridges  in  their  rear,  and  all  bridges  that  might  be  of  service 
to  the  enemy  ;.they  will  take  their  artillery  with  them,  and  on  reaching 
Kossuth,  will  follow  up  the  general  movement  of  t.e  army  and  pro- 
tect its  rear. 

VI.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  cavalry  at  Pocahontas,  will 
hold  his  command  in  readiness  to  move  on  sliort  notice  to  Ripley.  On 
commencing  the  move,  he  will  destroy  all  the  railroail  and  mud  road 
bridges  in  his  rear,  and  all  other  bridges  that  may  be  of  service  to  the 
enemy,  will  be  destroyed.  lie  will  take  all  of  his  artillery  with  him, 
and  move  from  Ripley  to  Pantotoc,  and  will  protect  the  rear  of  the 
forces  moving  in  that  direction. 

When  at  Ripley,  he  will  communicate  with  general  headquarters  at 
Baldwin,  for  orders. 

By  order  of  Brigadier  General  W.  N.  R.  Beu.i..    • 

(Signed,)  BEAI.L  HAMPSTEAD, 

Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen:ral. 


422 

[B.l 
MEMORANDUM  OF  ORDERS. 

IIladquarters  Western  Department, 


\r)QUARTERS    \>  E9TERN   DEPARTMENT,  > 

Corinth  ]\Iiss.,  May  27tli,  1862.      ] 


The  following  memorandum  is  furnished  to  General  Bragg,  for  the 
intended  movement  of  his  army  from  this  place  to  Baldwin,  at  the 
time  hereinafter  indicated : 

1st.  Hardee's  corps  will  move  on  the  direct  road  from  hia  position 
to  Danville,  by  Cleburni  camp,  which  lies  on  the  east  of  the  Mobile 
and  Ohio  railroad,  part  of  the  Avaj,  thence  to  Rienzi  and  to  Baldwin. 

2nd.  Bragg's  corps,  via  the  turnpike  to  Kossuth,  until  it  reaches 
the  south  side  of  the  Tuscumbia,  thence  by  the  Rienzi  and  Black 
Land  road  to  Carrollsville   and   Baldwin. 

3rd.  Breckinridge's  corps,  (or  reserve.)  via  the  turnpike  to  Kossuth, 
thence  to  Black  Land,  Carrollsville  and  Baldwin. 

4th.  Polk's  corps,  via  the  turnpike  to  Kossuth,  thence  by  the  West- 
ern road  to  Black  Land,  Carrollsville  and  Baldwin. 

5th.  The  baggage  train  of  these  corps,  must  leave  their  position  at 
12  M.,  precisely,  on  the  28th  inst.,  and  stop  for  the  night  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Tuscumbia,  on  the  best  available  ground.  The  provisioit 
trains  will  follow  the  baggage  trains. 

6th.  The  ammunition  and  ambulance  trains,  must  be  parked  at  the 
most  convenient  point  to  their  brigades,  and  moved  in  rear  of  the  pro- 
vision trains  to  the  south  side  of  the  Tuscumbia,  w'here  they  will  await 
further  orders.  All  of  these  trains  are  to  be  accompanied  by  one 
pioneer  company  and  two  infantry  companies,  properly  distributed  per 
brigade.  The  brigade  and  regimental  quartermaster,  must  accompany 
and  be  responsible  for  their  trains. 

7th.  The  officers  in  charge  of  the  baggage  trains,  will  receive  sealed 
orders  as  to  their  point  of  destination,  which  they  Avill  open  at  the 
first  mentioned  stopping  place. 

Sth.  As  it'may  become  necessary  to  take  the  offensive,  the  troops 
"will  take  their  position  in  the  trenches,  as  soon  as  practicable,  after 
disposing  of  their  baggage  in  the  wagon  trains.  One  brigade  per  corps, 
will  be  put  in  line  of  battle  in  the  best  position  for  the  offensive  in 
front  of  the  trenches.  The  reserve  will  remain  in  position  as  already 
indicated  to  its  General  commanding.  These  troops  will  all  bivouac  in 
position,  and  at  3  o'clock  A.  INL,  on  the  29th  inst.,  if  not  attacked  by 
the  enemy,  Avill  take  up  their  line  of  march  to  Baldwin  by  the  routes 
inlicated  in  article  I,  leaving  properly  distributed  cavalry  pickets  in 
front  of  their  lines,  to  guard  and  protect  this  retrograde  movement. 
These  pickets  will  remain  in  position  until  recalled  by  the  chief  of 
cavalry,  who  will  remain  in  Corinth,  for  the  purpose  of  directing  the 
retrograde  movement  of  cavalry,  when  each  regiment  must  follow 
the  route  taken  by  the  corps,  to  which  it  shall  have  been  temporarily- 
assigned,  for  the  protection  of  its  rear  and  flanks. 


423 

9tli,  Under  no  circumstance,  will  these  cavalry  regiments  abandon 
their  position  in  front  of  the  line,  (unless  compelled  by  overpowering 
numbers,)  until  the  rear  of  the  columns  of  the  army  of  the  Mississippi, 
shall  have  crossed  the  Tuscumbia ;  when  the  General  commanding 
each  corps,  will  communicate  that  fact  to  the  Chief  of  cavalry  for  his 
information  and  gindance. 

10th.  The  cavalry  pickets  will  continue  the  usual  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy  in  front  of  the  lines,  and  when  retiring,  they  will  destroy 
the  roads  and  bridges  in  their  rear,  as  far  as  practicable,  and  after 
having  crossed  the  Tuscumbia,  they  will  guard  the  crossings  until  re- 
called by  the  General  commanding. 

11th.  The  Chief  of  cavalry  will  order,  if  practicable,  one  regiment 
to  report  to  Major  General  Polk,  one  to  Major  General  Hardee,  one  to 
General  Bragg  and  one  to  Major  General  Van  Dorn,  independently  of 
the  regiment  now  at  Jacinto,  already  ordered  to  report  to  the  latter 
officer. 

12th.  After  the  departure  of  the  troops  from  the  entrenched  line,  a 
sufficient  number  of  drums  from  each  brigade,  must  be  left  to  beat  at 
*'  reveille"  at  the  usual  hour,  after  which,  they  can  rejoin  their  com- 
mands. 

13th.  The  commanding  officer  of  corps  of  the  army  of  the  IMissis- 
sippi,  will  leave  on  the  south  side  of  the  Tuscumbia,  five  hundred  in- 
fantry and  two  pieces  of  artillery  to  guard  the  four  crossings  of  that 
stream  and  to  effectually  destroy  the  bridges  and  obstruct  the  roads 
after  the  passage  of  the  cavalry. 

14th.  On  arriving  at  Baldwin,  the  best  defensive  position  will  be 
taken  by  the  army  of  the  Mississippi,  due  regard  being  had  to  a 
proper  and  sufficient  supply  of  wood  and  water,  for  the  troops,  and 
horses  of  the  different  commands. 

(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  commanding. 


(C.) 


MEMORANDUM  OF  MOVEMENTS  ON  BALDWIN  FOR 
GENERAL  VAN  DORN. 


HE.\nQUARTEn,s  Western  Department,  ) 
^  Corinth,  Miss.,  May  21th,  1862.       ) 

1.  The  baggage  trains  of  his  army  must  leave  their  position  at  day 
break  on  the  28th  inst.,  by  the  road  on  the  cast  of  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  railroad,  to  stop  temporarily  at  about  si,\  miles  from  his  head- 
quarters, but  with  secret  orders  to  the  officers  in  charge  of  them  to 
Continue  rapidly  on  the  direct  road  to  the  vicinity  of  Baldwin.  The 
provision  trains  will  follow  the  baggage  trains. 


424 

2.  The  ammunition  and  ambulance  trains  must  be  parked  at  the 
most  convenient  point  to  their  brigades,  or  near  the  general  head- 
quarters, vrhere  they  will  remain  until  the  troops  shall  have  been 
moved  to  the  front  to  take  up  their  line  of  battle,  when  these  trains 
will  be  ordered  to  follow  the  provision  trains. 

All  of  these  trains  must  be  accompanied  by  one,  pioneer  company 
and  two  infantry  companies  (properly  distributed)  per  brigade.  The 
brigade  and  regimental  quartermasters  must  accompany  and  be  res- 
ponsible for  their  trains. 

The  officers  in  charge  of  the  baggage  trains  will  receive  sealed  or- 
ders as  to  their  point  of  destination,  which  they  will  open  at  the  al- 
ready mentioned  stopping  place.  \ 

3.  As  it  may  become  necessary  to  take  the  offensive,  the  troops  will 
take  their  position  in  line  of  battle  as  soon  as  practicable,  after  dis- 
posing of  their  baggage  in  the  wagon  trains. 

These  troops  will  bivouac  in  position,  and  at  3  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on 
the  29th  inst.,  if  not  attacked  by  the  enemy,  will  take  up  their  line  of 
march  to  Baldwin  by  the  route  indicated,  (Article  I.)  leaving  pro- 
perly distributed  cavalry  pickets  in  front  of  their  lines  to  guard  and 
protect  this  retrograde  movement. 

These  pickets  shall  remain  in  position  until  recalled  by  the  chief  of 
cavalry,  who  will  remain  in  Corinth  for  the  purpose  of  directing  the 
retrograde  mot»eraent  of  the  cavalry,  when  each  regiment  will  follow 
the  route  taken  by  the  corps  to  which  it  shall  have  been  temporarily 
assigned,  for  the  protection  of  its  rear  and  flanks. 

4.  Under  no  circumstances  will  the  cavalry  regiments  abandon  their 
position  in  front  of  the  lines  (unless  compelled  by  overpoAvcring  num- 
bers), until  the  rear  of  the  column  of  the  army  of  the  West  shall  have 
crossed  Clear  creek,  when  the  Generals  commanding  shall  communi- 
cate the  fact  to  the  chief  of  cavalry  for  his  information  and  guidance. 

5.  The  cavalry  pickets  will  continue  the  usual  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  in  front  of  the  lines,  and  when  retiring,  will  destroy,  as  far  as 
practicable,  the  roads  and  bridges  in  their  rear,  and  after  having 
crossed  Clear  creek,  they  will  guard  the  crossing  until  recalled  by  the 
General  commanding. 

G.  The  chief  of  cavalry  will  order,  if  practicable,  one  regiment  to 
report  to  Major  General  Polk  and  one  to  Major  General  Hardee,  one 
to  General  Bragg  and  one  to  Major  General  Van  Dorn,  independently 
of  the  regiment  now  at  Jacinto,  already  ordered  to  report  to  the  latter 
officer. 

7.  After  the  departure  of  the  troop^  from  the  entrenched  lines,  a 
•sufficient  number  of  drums  from  each  brigade  must  be  left  to  beat 
■*' reveille"  at  the  usual  hour,  after  which  they  can  join  their  com- 
mands. 

8.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  army  of  the  West  will  leave,  if 
necessary,  on  the]|south  side  of  Clear  creek,  about  five  hundred  infan- 
try and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  to  defend  the  crossing  of  said  stream, 
and  to  effectually  destroy  the  bridges  and  obstruct  the  road  after  the 
passage  of  the  cavalry.  • 

9.  On  arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  Guntowu,  the  best   defensive  po- 


425 

sition  will  be  taken  in  rear  of  Twenty-mile  creek,  due  regard  being 
had  to  a  proper  and  sufficient  supply  of  wood  and  water  for  the 
troops. 

(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  commanding. 


(D.) 

(Confidential.) 

Corinth,  May  2&h,  1862. 
To  General  B.  Bragg, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  Corinth  : 

General  : — Considering  that  we  have  still  so  much  yet  to  be  removed 
from  this  place,  I  have  decided  that  the  retrograde  movement  shall  not 
take  place  until  the  3Uth  inst.,  at  the  hours  appointen,  instead  of  tkc 
29th. 

You  will  please  issue  all  necessary  orders  to  that  effect  to  the  forces 
under  your  command. 

It  would  be  advisable  to  stop  at  once  the  ammunition  and  provision 
trains  at  convenient  points  to  this  place. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  commanding. 

(Signed,)  George  Wm.  Brent, 

Acting  Chief  of  Staff". 


(E.) 

Corinth,  May  2SM,  1862. 

To  Major  General  E.  Van  Dorn, 

Danville  Road : 

General: — I  approve  of  your  request  to  leave  at  12  h  (not  11)  to- 
night, if  it  be  clear.  Send  artillery  at  sundown  two  miles  back,  so 
as  to  be  beyond  reach  of  sound  to  the  enemy.  Be  careful,  however, 
not  to  send  it  too  far. 

As  Bragg's  rear  guard  will  not  leave  until  3  h  A.  M.,  yours  ought 
not  to  leave  before  2  1-2  li,  for  Hardee's  lett  would  then  be  uncovered 
whilst  moving  in  rear  of  your  present  position  and  before  crossing 
the  railroad. 

Hardee  will  destroy  the  bridges  (dirt  and  railroad)  on  Tuscumbia, 
provided  he  is  guarding  them.  But  have  the  matter  clearly  under- 
stood with  him,  so  as  to  admit  of  no  error.  I  referred  in  my  note  to 
the  small  bridge  on  Clear  creek,  one  which  you  must  pass. 


426 

You  must,  of  course,  have  out  as  few  details  as  possible.  You 
must  be  the  sole  judge  of  that. 

The  telegraph  operator  must  remain  at  his  post  as  long  as  possible, 
say  until  your  main  forces  move  to  the  rear,  fcr  at  any  moment  we 
may  be  called  upon  to  Tnov(7  forward. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  of  the  sham  balloon.  I  hope  it  is  so,  for  I  fear 
that  more  than  their  artillery  at  this  moment. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  G.  T,  BEAUREGARD, 

General  comvianding . 

P.  S. — You  must  not  forget  to  obstruct  thoroughly  the  road  across 
Clear  creek,  near  General  Jones'  lines.  You  or  Hardee  must  keep  a 
strong  guard  of  infantry  and  two  pieces  of  artillery  at  the  Clear  creek 
railroad  bridge,  until  the  last  cars  shall  have  left  the  depot  here. 
Please  arrange  this. matter  distinctly  with  him. 

Would  it  not  be  prudent  to  send  one  regiment,  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery and  some  cavalry  to  protect  your  train  ? 

I  think  I  would  keep  Price  back  in  best  position,  to  move  either  to 
the  rear  to  protect  the  train,  if  necessary,  or  to  the  front,  in  case  of 
battle. 

George  W.  Brent, 

Acting  Chief  of  Staff. 


(F.) 

Corinth,  May  25,   18C2. 
General  B.  Bragg,  Corinth : 

General:  From  information  received,  Guntown,  four  miles  and  a 
half  below  Baldwin,  is  considered  a  better  position  for  the  defensive ; 
hence,  we  will  go  there.     Please  give  the  necessary  orders. 

Small  details  must  be  kept  in  or  about  old  camps,  to  keep  up  usual 
fires,  on  account  of  balloon,  with  orders  to  join  their  commands  at  10 
hour,  on  the  march  to  the  rear,  or  in  front,  in  case  of  battle. 

Not  too  many  fires  must  be  kept  on  the  lines  to-night,  so  as  not  to 
reveal,  too  clearly,  our  position.  A  brigade  (the  best  one)  from  each 
corps,  will  be  selected  to  guard  and  bring  up  the  rear  of  each  column  ; 
to  move  off  about  two  hours  after  the  rest  of  the  column,  and, 
from  Avhich,  a  small  detail  will  be  left  at  each  bridge  to  destroy  it  after 
passage  of  cavalry.  Detail  to  be  in  proportion  to  importance  of 
bridge. 

Would  it  not  be  advisable  for  the  main  forces  to  start  at  the  1  h., 
and  the  rear  guards  at  3  h,  A.  M.  ? 

No  rockets  must  be  fired  to-night. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

George  Wm.  Brent, 

Acting  Chief  of  Staff. 


427 

(G-) 

Headquarters  Western  Department,  ) 
Corinth,  May  29,  1862.      \ 

To  General  B.  Bragt,  and  Major  Generals  E.  Van  Dorn,  L.   Polk, 
W.  J.  Hardee,  J.  C.  Breckinridge  : 

Generals  :  The  following  modifications  have  been  made  in  the  order 
relative  to  the  retrograde  movement  from  this  place  : 

1st.  At  sundown  the  light  batteries  must  be  sent  to  about  1  mile 
from  the  entrenched  lines,  in  order  to  avoid  communicating  to  the 
enemy  any  information  of  the  movement.  These  batteries  must  bo 
so  placed  outside  of  the  road  as  to  follow  thdr  brigades  at  night, 
without  any  difficulty. 

2d.  At  8  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  heavy  batteries  of  the  Hues  must  be 
removed,  without  noise,  to  the  cars  and  sent  to  the  Central  depot. 

3d.  At  10  o'clock,  P.  M  ,  the  retrograde  movement  of  the  forces  is 
to  commence,  as  already  instructed. 

4th.  At  12  o'clock,  P.  M.,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  possible,  the 
rear  guard  is  to  follow  the  movement. 

5th.  As  soon  as  the  army  of  the  Mississippi  shall  have  got  beyond 
the  Tuscumhia,  and  the  army  of  the  West  beyond  Ridge  creek,  General 
Beall,  at  Corinth,  (Chief  of  Cavalry,)  shall  be  informed  of  the  facts 
and  the  position  in  rear  of  said  stream  shall  be  held,  until  the  train, 
shall  be  considered  beyond  tlie  reach  of  the  enemy. 

6th.  Camp  fires  must  be  kept  up  all  night  by  the  troops  in  position, 
and  then  by  the  cavalry. 

7th.  Three  signal  rockets  shall  be  sent  up  at  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  by  the  cavalry  pickets  of  Generals  Van  Dorn,  Bragg  and 
Polk. 

8th.  All  Artesian  and  other  wells  must  be  destroyed  this  evening, 
by  a  detachment  from  each  brigade.  All  Artesian  well  machinery 
must  be  sent,  forthwith,  to  the  depot  for  transportation  to  Saltillo. 

9th.  Whenever  the  railraad  engine  shall  whistle  through  the  night, 
near  the  cntrenchcil  line,  the  troops  in  the  vicinity  shall  cheer  re- 
peatedly, as  though  reinforcements  had  been  received. 

(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  commanding. 

George  Wm.  Brent, 
Acti7ig  Chief  of  Staff. 


428 

(H.) 

MEMORANDUM  OF  ORDERS. 

Headquarters  Western  Department, 
Baldwin,  June  6,  1862,  5  h,  P.  M. 


I.  General  Van  Dorn's  army  will  start  at  3  h,  A.  M.,  on  the  7th 
instant,  on  its  way  to  Tupelo,  via  the  road  from  Baldwin  to  Priceville. 
It  will  halt  for  the  night  at  Sand  creek,  a  distance  of  about  (17)  seven- 
teen miles  from  Baldwin.  It  will  resume  the  line  of  march  the  next 
morning  at  S  h,  A.  M.,  and  will  take  position  for  the  present  at  Price- 
ville, leaving  a  brigade  at  the  cross  of  the  road,  Avith  the  Ripley  and  the 
Cotton  Gin  road,  near  Smith  or  Brooks'  house,  and  a  cavalry  force  at 
or  about  the  steam  saw  mill.  One  brigade  will  be  sent  to  Morrisville 
or  vicinity,  and  a  force  of  cavalry  to  guard  the  twenty  (20)  mile  creek 
ferry,  on  the  road  from  Fulton,  with  a  strong  picket  at  the  latter 
place.  The  cavalry  regiment  at  Marietta,  will  not  leave  that  position 
until  the  8th  instant,  at  4  A.  M. 

II.  General  Hardee's  corps  will  start  for  Tupelo,  at  4  h,  P.  M.,  on 
the  7th  instant,  via  the  same  road  as  General  Van  Dorn's  array, 
stopping  for  the  night  at  a  creek,  about  nine  miles  from  its  present 
position.  He  will  send  at  4  h,  A.  M.,  on  that  day,  one  regiment  and 
two  pieces  of  artillery,  to  the  cross  road  with  the  Natchez  rail  road, 
to  guard  the  Twenty  mile  creek  crossing. 

His  corps  will  resume  its  line  of  march  at  4  h,  A.  M.,  on  the  8th 
inst.,  and  will  get  to  Tupelo  that  night  if  practicable.  Ilis  rear  guard 
of  cavalr}^  will  remain  in  its  present  position,  until  12  P.  M.,  on  the 
7th  instant,  and  afterwards  in  the  vicinity  of  Baldwin,  (guarding  the 
rear  of  Hardee's  corps,)  until  about  4  h,  A.  M.,  on  the  8th  instant. 

III.  General  Breckinridge's  corps  of  reserve,  will  leave  for  Tupelo, 
via  Carrollsville  and  Birmingham,  at  3  h,  A.  M.,  on  the  7th  instant, 
stopping  for  the  night  at  Yanoby  creek,  a  few  miles  beyond  the  latter 
town,  and  will  resume  its  line  of  march  at  3  h,  A.  M.,  on  the  8th 
instant. 

IV.  General  Br-agg's  corps  will  leave  by  the  same  road  as  General 
Breckinridge's,  (passing  to  the  westward  of  Carrollsville,)  at  2  h,  P. 
M.,  on  the  7th  instant,  stopping  for  the  night  at  or  near  Birmingham ; 
leaving  there  at  3  h,  A.  M.,  for  Tupelo. 

His  cavalry  will  follow  on  the  same  road,  the  movement  from  where 
it  is  now  posted,  at  2  h,  A,  M.,  on  the  8th  instant.  The  regiment  at 
Ripley  will  move  on  the  road  from  that  place  to  Tupelo,  and  all  said 
cavalry  will  be  posted  as  already  indicated  to  General  B.  on  the  map.  ^ 

V.  General  Polk's  corps  will  conform  its  movement  to  that  of  Gen- 
eral Bragg,  starting  at  2  h,  P.  M.,  on  the  7th  instant,  on  the  direct 
road  to  Saltillo,  west  of  the  railroad,  halting  at  that  place  until  further 
orders.  His  cavalry  will  remain  where  at  present  posted,  and  will 
follow  his  movements  along  the  same  road,  (guarding  his  rear,)  at  3 
h,  A,  M.,  on  the  8th  instant. 


m 

VI.  All  infantry  outposts  should  be  recalled  in  time   to  join  their 
command, 

VII.  All  finger  boards  and  mile  posts  should  be  taken  down  by  the 
cavalry  of  the  rear  guards. 

(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  commanding. 

(Official,)        '  Tnos.  Jordan, 

A.  A.  General. 


NORTHERN  NEWSPAPER  CORRESPONDENCE,  AND  OFFI- 
CIAL TELEGRAPHIC  DISPATCHES  OF  GENERALS 
HALLECK  AND  POPE,  TOUCHING  EVACUATION  OF 
CORINTH. 


Letter  from  Corinth. 

[Corrcsponuence  of  Cincinnati  Commercial.] 

General  McCook's  Division,  preliminary  to  the  evacuation  of  Corinth. 

Editors  Commercial:  I  have  only  time  for  a  very  brief  epistle 
before  the  mail  goes,  and,  luckily,  I  have  not  much  to  say.  On  Wed- 
nesdiiy  night  breastworks  were  thrown  up,  and  Terrells' battery  planted 
on  an  eminence  in  the  woods,  about  700  yards  from  the  rebel  works. 
The  position  being  secured,  it  was  enlarged  upon  and  strengthened 
yesterday.  W.  S.  Sherman's  (late  Thomas)  division,  moving  up  in  a 
line  on  the  right,  and  Nelson's  on  the  left  of  INIcCook.  On  the  day 
the  second  division  moved  out,  advances,  with  heavy  cannonading, 
were  made  by  Thomas  on  the  right,  and  Pope  on  the  left,  but  not  a 
response  in  kind  was  elicited  from  the  enemy.  During  the  night,  we 
could  hear  teams  being  diiven  off,  and  boxes  being  nailed,  in  the  rebel 
camp.  Deserters,  however,  (I  understand,)  reported  that  they  were 
making  "  a  stand,"  and  would  fight  the  next  day. 

Considerable  cannonading  was  done  by  our  forces,  and  yet  no 
response,  and  yesterday  the  same.  Last  night  the  same  band  sounded 
retreat,  tatoo  and -taps  all  along  the  rebel  lines,  moving  from  place  to 
place,  and  this  morning  suspicion  was  ripened  into  certainty,  when 
we  saw  tlense  columns  of  smoke  arise  in  the  direction  of  Corinth,  and 
heard  the  report  of  an  exploding  magazine.  Corinth  was  evacuated, 
Beauregard  had  achieved  another  "triumph!" 

I  do  not  know  how  the  matter  strikes  abler  military  men,  but  I 
think  we  have  been  "  fooled."  The  works  are  far  from  being  invul- 
nerable ;  and  the  old  joke  of  quaker  guns  has  been  played  off 
onus.  They  were  real  wooden  guns,  with  stuffed  "paddies"  for 
gunners.  I  saw  them.  We  approached  clear  from  Shiloh,  in  line  of 
"battle,  and  made  preparations  to  defend  ourselves,  compared  with  which, 
the  preparations  of  Beauregard  sunk  into  insignificance. 

This  morning  Ave  could  have  poured  shot  and  shell  from  over  three 
hundred   guns  into  works  that    never   saw   the  day,   when   General 


431 

McCook  could  not  have  taken  his  division  into  them.  The  indications 
are  that  the  rebel  force  here  did  not  exceed  60,000  men.  With  what 
light  I  had,  I  regarded  the  mode  of  our  advance  upon  Corinth  as  deep 
"wisdom;  "with  the  light  I  now  have,  I  do  not. 

The  1st  Ohio  was  among  the  first  to  mount  the  works  ;  but  I  believe 
the  24th  Ohio  was  the  very  first;  and  their  new  flag,  lately  received 
from  the  Gth,  was  the  first  to  wave  in  triumph  over  the  now  famous 
village  of  Corinth.  Wiicn  we  got  into  Corinth,  I  suppose  the  fires 
kindled  by  the  rebels  had  destroyed  all  they  meant  to  destroy,  (which 
was  every  thing  moveable  that  they  could  not  remove.)  but  much  more 
damage  would  have  been  done  but  for  our  timely  arrival.  The  place 
is  entirely  deserted,  except  by  one  or  two  families. 

(Signed,)  .  KAPPA. 

Washington,  May  ^\},th. 

The  following  dispatch  was  received  at  the  War  Department  this 
morning; 

Heapquarters  Near  Corinth,  May  30. 

Hon.  E.  M.  Stanton, 

Secretary  of  War  : 

The  enemy's  position,  and  works  in  front  of  Corinth,  were  exceed- 
ingly strong.  He  cannot  occupy  a  stronger  position  in  his  flight. 
This  morning  he  destroyed  an  immense  amount  of  public  and  private 
property,  stores,  provisions,  wagons,  tents,  &c.  For  miles  out  of 
town,  the  roads  are  filled  with  arms,  haversacks,  &c.,  throv.n  away  by 
his  fleeing  troops. 

A  large  number  of  prisoners  and  deserters  have  been  captured,  esti- 
mated by  General  Pope  at  2.000. 

General  Beauregard  evidently  distrusts  Li^  army,  or  he  would  have 
defended  so  strong  a  position.  His  troops  are  generally  much  dis- 
couraged and  demoralized. 

For  the  last  few  days  their  resistance  has  been  slight. 

(Signed,)  H.  W.   IIALLECK, 

Major  Gemral  commanding. 

Washington,  Jujic  2. 

The  following  dispatch  has  been  received  at  the  War  Department, 
in  reply  to  an  iiKjuiry  of  General  Meigs  : 

Corinth,  May  31,    1862. 
To  M.  C.  C.  Meigs, 

Q.  M.  Gemral : 

If  Beauregard  has  been  at  Richmcnd,  others  have  forged  his  signa- 
ture as  I  have  received  letters  from  him  about  the  exchange  of  pri- 
soner.s  nearly  every  day  for  the  last  fortniglit. 

The  evacuation  of  Corinth  commenced  on  Wednesday,  and  was  com- 


432 

pleted  on  Thursday  night,  but  in  great  haste,  as  an  immense  amount 
of  property  was  destroyed  and  abandoned.  No  troops  have  gone  from 
here  to  Richmond,  unless  within  the  past  two  days. 

(Signed,)  II.  W.  HALLECK, 

Major  General  commanding. 

The  Retreat   of  the   Enemy  from  Corinth — Great  Destruction  of  Pro' 
pcrty — A  hold  Cavalry  Rcconnoisance. 

Washington,  June  2. 
The  following  dispatch  was  received  at  the  War  Department  this 
morning  : 

Halleck's  Headquarters,      ) 
Camp  near  Corinth,  June  1,   18G2.  ) 

**  Hon.  E.  M.  Stanton, 

Secretary  of  War : 

"  The  following  dispatch  has  been  received  from  General  Pope  : 
*'  To  Major  General-HALLECK  : 

*'  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  report,  to-day,  the  brilliant  success  of  the 
expedition  scut  out  on  the  28th  instant,  under  Colonel  Elliott,  with 
the  second  Iowa  cavalry. 

"  After  forced  marches,  day  and  night,  through  a  very  difficult 
country,  and  obstructed  by  the  enemy,  he  finally  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  at  Boonville,  at  2  o'clock,  A.  M., 
on  the  30th.  He  destroyed  the  track  in  many  places  south  and  north 
of  the  town,  blew  up  one  culvert,  destroyed  the  switch  and  track, 
burned  up  the  depot  and  a  locomotive,  and  a  train  of  26  cars,  loaded 
with  supplies  of  every  kind,  destroyed  10, 000  stand  of  small  arms, 
three  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  great  quantity  of  clothing  and  ammu- 
nition, and  paroled  2,000  prisoners,  which  he  could  not  Iceep  with  his 
cavalry. 

"  The  enemy  had  heard  of  his  movements,  and  had  a  train  of  box 
and  flat  cars,  with  flying  artillery  and  five  thousand  infantry,  running 
up  and  down  the  road,  to  prevent  him  from  reaching  it. 

"  The  whole  road  was  lined  with  pickets  for  several  days. 

"  Colonel  Elliott's  command  subsisted  on  meat  alone,  such  as  they 
could  find  in  the  country.  For  daring  and  dispatch  this  expedition 
has  been  distinguished  in  the  highest  degree,  and  entitled  Colonel 
Elliott  and  his  command  to  high  distinction. 

"■  The  result  Avill  be  embarrassing  to  the  enemy,  and  contribute 
greatly  to  their  loss  and  demoralization.  He  reports  the  roads  full  of 
small  parties  of  the  retreating  enemy  scattering  in  all  drections. 

(Signed,)  ''  Major  General  POPE." 


\ 


^\ 


433 

Washington,  June  4. 

The  following  dispatch  was  received,  this  morning,  at  the  War  De-- 
partment : 

Halleck's  Headquarters,  Jxine  4. 

Hon.  E.  M.   Stanton, 

Secretary  of  War : 

General  Pope,  with  40,000  men,  is  thirty  miles  south  of  Florence,, 
pressing  tlic  enemy  hard.  He  already  reports  10,000  prisoners  and 
deserters  from  the  enemy,  and  15,00i)  stand  of  arms  captured.  Thou- 
sands of  the  enemy  arc  throwing  away  their  arms.  A  farmer  says^ 
that  when  Beauregard  learned  that  Colonel  Elliott  had  cut  the  rail- 
road, on  his  line  of  retreat,  he  became  frantic,  and  told  his  men  tO' 
save  themselves  the  Lest  way  they  could. 

We  captured  nine  locomotives  and  a  number  of  cars.     One  of  the 
former  is  already  repaired  and  is  running  to-day.      Several  more  will 
be  in  running  order  in  a  few  days.     The   result  is   all  that   I   couldi. 
possibly  desire. 

(Signed,)  H.  W.   HALLECK, 

Major  General  commanding. 


[Special  Corresponclcnce  of  the  Chicago  Tribune] 

Pittsburg  Landing,  May  30th,  1S62. 

Just  after  I  had  written  my  letter,  dated  this  morning,  a  dispatch  v 
was  received  from  General   Halleck's  headquarters,  stating  that  our 
flag  waved  over  the  Court  House  at  Corinth.     The  news  caused  much 
surprise  here,  as  it  was  wholly  unexpected,  for  the   rebels   had  been, 
disputing  the  ground  with  us,  inch  by  inch,  during  the  past  few  days,, 
and  with  a  stubbornness  that   indicated  an  intention  To  make  a  despe- 
rate resistance  behind  the  main  works  of  defence.     Whether  the  rea-- 
sons  of  the  evacuation  were  merely  strategical,  or  that  the  supply  of 
provisions  was  running  short,  yet  remains  to  be  seen.     I  learn  from  a 
professed  union  man,  a  deserter  from  the  rebels,  that  they   had  been 
for  sometime  on   short  rations,  the  men  getting  only  a  quarter  ration 
and    the   horses  three  cars  of  corn  per  day.     Their  animals  are  said: 
to  be  in  very  bad  condition.  The  water  in  and  around  Corinth,  is  also- 
very  bad.      It   smells   so   offensively,  that  the  men  have  to  hold  their- 
noses  while  drinking  it.      As  our  men  advanced,  they  found  the  water- 
much  deteriorated  and  very  difficult  to  obtain. 

When  our  forces  entered  the  place  about  7  A.  M.,  after  shelling  it. 
for  sometime,  they  found  but  two  or  three  men  and  a  few  women  andi 
children  in  it.  Thes'e  wore  gathered  around  the  little  heaps  of  furni-- 
turc  they  had  snatched  from  the  burning  buildings.  Whether  the- 
buildings  were  set  on  fire  by  our  shells  or  the  retreating  rebels,  is  not; 
known.  During  the  night,  our  pickets,  and  indeed,  the  entire  advance- 
of  the  army,  heard  repeated  explosions,  doubtless  caused  by  the  blow- 
ing up  of  the  magazines.  Nothing  of  any  use  to  us,  whatever,  was 
28 


434 

found,  not  even  a  Quaker  gun.     These  were  of  no  use,  however,  at 
Corinth,  as  they  could  not  have  been  seen  by  us. 

The  retreat  of  the  enemy  was  conducted  in  the  best  of  order.  Before 
our  men  had  entered  the  place,  all  had  got  off  safely.  General  Hal- 
leck  has  thus  achieved  one  of  the  most  barren  triumphs  of  the  war. 
In  fact,  it  is  tantamount  to  a  defeat.  It  gives  the  enemy  an  oppor- 
tunity to  select  a  new  position  as  formidable  as  that  at  Corinth,  and  in 
which  it  will  be  far  more  difficult  for  us  to  attack  him,  on  account  of 
the  distance  our  army  will  have  to  transport  its  supplies.  Supposing 
the  enemy  take  up  their  second  position  of  defence  at  Grand  Junction, 
about  sixty  miles  from  here,  4,01)0  additional  wagons  will  be  required. 
At  $113  each,  this  would  involve  an  expense  of  nearly  half  a  million 
of  dollars,  to  say  nothing  of  mules,  pay  of  teamsters,  forage,  &c.  Then 
there  is  the  fatigue  to  our  men,  the  attacks  of  guerilla  parties  in  our 
rear,  &:c. 

I  look  upon  the  evacuation  there  as  a  victory  to  Beauregard,  or,  at 
least,  as  one  of  the  most  masterly  pieces  of  strategy  that  has  been 
displayed  during  this  war.  It  prolongs  the  contest  in  the  southwest, 
for  at  least  six  months. 

It  is  rumored  that  the  main  body  of  the  rebels  is  stationed  at  Kos- 
suth, a  few  miles  from  Corinth,  while  some  25,000  have  gone  on  to 
Grand  Junction,  which  the  enemy  have  been  fortifying  for  sometime 
past. 

Up  to  last  night,  the  enemy  kept  up  a  display  of  force  along  his 
whole  line,  thus  completely  deceiving  our  Generals. 

I  learn  that  the  lines  of  fortification  at  Corinth,  are  numerous  and 
formidable,  but  I  have  no  authentic  statement  of  their  real  strength 
and  condition. 

General  Halleck  must  feel  deeply  mortified  at  the  evacuation.  It 
clearly  shows  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  position  and  strength  of 
the  enemy,  and  of  his  ulterior  designs.  This,  in  a  great  measure, 
; arises  from  the  exclusion  of  contrabands  from  camp.  If  this  war  is 
•ever  to  be  brought  to  a  close,  it  must  be  by  making  use  of  the  negro 
in  every  possible  way. 

(Signed,)  F. 


LETTER  OF  GENERAL  BEAUREGARD. 


Headquarters  Western  Department,  ) 
Tupelo,  Miss.,  June  15,  1862.      ) 

•General  Samuel  Cooper, 

A.  G.,  a  S.  A.,  Richmond,  Va. : 

General:  After  delaying  as  long  as  possible,  to  obey  tlic  oft  re- 
peated recommendations  of  my  physicians,  to  take  some  rest,  for  the 
restoration  of  my  health,  I  have  concluded  to  take  advantage  of  the 
present  lull  in  the  operations  of  this  army,  due  to  the  necessity  of  at- 
tending to  its  organization  and  discipline,  and  to  the  uncertain  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  for  absenting  myself  a  short  while  from  here, 
hoping  to  be  back  in  time  to  assume  the  offensive  at  the  earliest 
moment  practicable.  INIeanwhile,  I  will  transfer  the  command  of 
the  forces,  kc,  of  this  department,  to  the  next  officer  in  rank,  General 
Bragg,  furnishing  him  with  such  instructions  as  will  enable  him  to 
give  all  orders  required  during  my  absence. 

I  propose  leaving  here  to-morrow  at  12  M.,  for  Mobile,  where  I  will 
remain  a  day  or  two,  inspecting  tlie  condition  of  its  defences,  and  will 
offer  to  Brigadier  General  Forney,  such  advice,  as  in  my  judgment, 
may  be  necessary,  and  he  may  be  willing  to  accept.  I  will  then  re- 
pair to  Bladen  Springs  on  the  Tombigbee  river,  about  seventy-five 
miles  north  of  Mobile,  where  I  will  remain  about  one  week  or  ten  days, 
or  long  enough  to  restore  my  shattered  health. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General  coynviaiiding. 


Headquarters  Western  Department,  ) 
Tupelo,  June  14th,  1862.       \ 

We  hereby  certify,  that  after  attendance  upon  General  Beauregard, 
for  the  past  four  months,  and  treatment  of  his  case,  that  in  our  pro- 


436 

fessional  opinion,  he  is  incapacitated  physically,  for  the  arduous  duties 
of  his  present  command,  and  we  urgently  recommend  rest  and  recrea- 
tion. 

(Signed,)  R.  L.  BRODIE, 

Surgeon,  P.  A.   C.  S. 
(Signed,)  SAMUEL  CHOPPIN, 

Surgeon,  P.  A.  C.  S. 
True  Copy, 

(Signed,)  A.  R.  CHISKOLM, 

Aid-dc-Camp. 


11  E  P  0  11  T 


OF    THE 


ENGAGEMENT  ON  JAMES  ISLAND. 


MAJOR  GENERAL  PEMBERTON,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Department  So.  Ca.  and  Geo.,  ^ 

Charleston,  June,  1862.  S 

To  General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General : 

General:  I  trust  it  will  not  be  considered  irrelevant  in  officiaiiy 
reporting  the  action  of  the  16th  June,  1862,  between  our  forces  and 
those  of  the  United  States,  on  James  Island,  to  refer  brielly  to  tlie 
connection  which  this  affair  had,  with  certain  alterations  I  had  adopted 
in  the  plan  of  defence  established  prior  to  my  assignment  to  the  com- 
mand of  this  department. 

After  a  thorouf^h  personal  examination  of  Coles  Island,  its  defences 
and  approaches,  I  was  convinced,  that  however  desirable,  in  many 
respects,  it  might  be,  to  continue  its  occupation,  there  were  disadvantages 
not  to  be  overcome.  With  the  means  at  my  disposal,  I  deemed  it, 
therefore,  essential  to  the  .safety  of  Charleston,  that  the  batteries  on 
Coles  battery  island.. should  be  transferred  to  a  more  defensible  posi- 
tion on  the  James  Island  side  of  the  Stono  river. 

This  change  would  draw  in  our  lines  to  the  begt  supporting  distance, 
and  compel  a  land  attack  upon  our  entrenched  position  across  James 
Island,  flanked  on  the  right  by  the  proposed  fort  on  the  Stono,  and 
on  the  left  by  the  advanced  work  at  Seccssionville. 

This  desi;rn  was  carried  into  execution.     A  stronii  and  commandins 


438 

TTOik  was  erected  on  the  Stono,  completely  controlling  that  river,  m 
the  direction  of  tho  inlet  of  the  same  name,  as  well  as  the  approach 
through  North  Edisto  inlet,  on  the  mouth  of  Wappoo  cut.  The  en- 
trenched lines  to  the  east  of  James  Island  Creek,  were  also  greatly 
strengthened  by  a  system  of  interior  redoubts  and  redans. 

Early  in  May  the  guns  were  removed  from  Coles  battery  island. 
On  the  13th  of  the  same  month,  the  a])duction  of  the  steamer  Planter, 
by  her  negro  crew,  gave  the  enemy  information  of  the  abandonment  of 
Coles  island.  The  services  of  skilful  pilots  among  these  negroes, 
were  immediately  availed  of,  and  the  enemy's  gun-boats  entered  the 
river  about  the  17th.  Under  cover  of  their  fire,  he  coramonced  land- 
ing his  troops  on  James  Island,  on  the  2d  June.  Ilis  force  was  grad- 
ually increased,  until  it  was  believed  to  have  amounted  to-  from  ten  to 
twelve  thousand  of  all  arms.  Between  the  2d  and  15th  June,  several 
skirmishes  occurred,  the  results  of  which  were  duly  reported,  by  the 
immediate  commander,  and  the  reports  forwarded  to  the  War  Depart- 
ir.ent.  The  enemy  kept  up,  at  intervals,  a  heavy  fire  from  his  gun- 
boats, varying  from  five  to  eight  in  number,  against  Secessiouville, 
from  positions  on  the  Stono,  and  a  branch  of  Folly  river,  as  also,  from 
a  land  battery  established  under  cover  of  his  boats,  on  a  point  distant 
?.bout  a  mile  from  our  own  battery,  at  Secessiouville.  No  injury  was, 
however,  done  to  our  works.  One  man  was  killed  in  his  tent  and  sev- 
eral wounded.  A  few  shells  were  throvi-n  in  the  dircctJon  of  tjie  new 
fort  on  the  Stono,  at  long  range,  but  no  attempt  was  made  to  engage 
at  the  fort,  a  less  distance  than  two  and-a-half  miles. 

About  4,  A.  M.,  on  the  16th,  the  enemy  drove  in  or  captured  our 
pickets,  some  800  yards  in  front  of  the  battery,  at  Secessiouville,  and, 
s'.dvanciug  rapidly  upon  this  work  in  line  of  battle,  arrived  within  a 
few  hundred  yards  of  it,  before  our  guns  could  open  upon  him. 
To  the  culpable  negligence  of  the  pickets,  is  to  be  attributed  the  near 
approach  of  the  enemy  before  ho  was  discovered.  The  men,  however, 
were  at  their  guns,  which  were  at  once  well  and  rapidly  served.  Lt. 
Col.  Gaillard's  and  Smith's  battalions,  (Charleston  and  Pee  Dee),  were 
moved  promptly  into  position  under  tlie  orders  of  Col.  J.  G.  Lamar, 
the  heroic  commander  of -the  post.  The  enemy  was  driven  back  in 
confusion,  and  witli  great  loss.  A  second  attempt,  after  he  had  received 
reinforcements,  met  with  a  similar  result,  and  a  third  was  equally  un- 
jrv.ccessful. 

A  flank  movement  was  then  attempted  against  the  right  of  the  bat- 
tery, but  was  repulsed  by  the  Charleston  battalion,  aided  by  the 
Louisiana  battalion,  under  Lt.  Col.  McEnery,  which  had  been  prompt- 
ly dispatched  by  Col.  Johnson  Ilagood,  the  immediate  commander,  to 
the  support  of  Secessiouville,  on  the  first  intimation  of  the  enemy's 
advance  upon  that  position,  and  which  arrived  in  time  to  participate- 
in  the  dangers  and  glory  of  this  admirable  repulse.  On  the  evening 
of  the  15th,  I  directed  Brigadier  General  Evans  to  send  sufficient 
reinforcements  to  Secessiouville,  to  relieve  the  garrison  of  the  arduous 
duties  in  which  it  had  been  engaged  for  a  number  of  days  previous. 
A  detachment  of  four  ofiicers,  (Capt.  J.  Jamison,  commanding),  and 
one  hundred  men  of  Col.  Goodlet's  22d  S.  C.  volunteers,  came  up  just 


439 

in  time  to  meet  the  first  onset  of  tlie  enemy,  performing  most  excel- 
lent service,  and  sustaining  a  loss  of  li)  killed  and  7  Avounded.  For 
further  details  of  the  action  immediately  in  front  of  Seccssionville, 
I  respectfully  refer  to  the  reports,  (herewith),  of  Brig.  Gen.  Evans, 
Col.  J.  G.  Lamar  and  his  subordinate  commanders;  and  for  those  de- 
tails resulting  from  the  enemy's  flank  movement  upon  Sccessionvillc, 
Brig.  Gen.  Evans'  report,  to  that  of  Col.  Johnson  Ilagood,  1st  S.  C. 
volunteers,  ^Yho  had  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  an  advanced 
corps,  composed  of  his  own  regiment;  the  24th  S.  C.,Col.  C.  H.  Ste- 
vens ;  the  Eutaw  battalion,  Lieut.  Col.  Simonton ;  and  the  Louisiana 
battalion,  Lieut.  Col.  McEnery.  The  latter,  as  before  stated,  was  early 
dispatched  to  the  support  of  Seccssionville ;  the  remaining  corps 
greatly  aiding  in  the  final  and  complete  defeat  of  the  enemy.  The 
report  of  each  of  the  above  named  subordinate  commanders,  is  respect- 
fully forwarded  herewith.    • 

Not  having  been  an.  eye  witness  of  this  well-fought  contest,  it  is 
impossible  for  me,  perhaps,  to  commend  where  commendation  is  most 
due.  Many  of  the  best  and  bravest  have  fallen:  among  them  Capt.  J. 
J.  Reed,  Lamar's  regiment ;  Capt.  Henry  King,  Charleston  battalion ; 
1st  Lt.  John  Edwards,  of  the  same  command;  2d  Lt.  11,  W.  Green, 
Eutaw  battalion,  and  1st  Serg't  James  M.  Baggott,  who  fell  whilst 
serving  his  piece  as  No.  1,  and  was  immediately  succeeded  by  his 
company  commander,  the  gallant  and  lamented  Reed. 

My  estimation  of  the  conduct  of  Colonel  J.  G.  Lamar,  is  fully  ex- 
pressed in  my  General  Orders,  No.  — ,  of  June  17th.  His  undaunt- 
ed courage  was  an  example  well  followed  by  those  who  surrounded 
him. 

Lieutenant  Colonels  V.  C.  Gaillard,  A.  D.  Smith  and  J.  McEnery, 
Major  D.  Ramsey,  Captain  J.  Jamison,  were  each  in  command  of  their 
respective  corps,  during  the  whole,  or  a  part  of  the  action,  and  aro 
highly  commended  in  the  report  of  Colonel  Lamar.  I  refer  to  his, 
and  to  the  reports  of  the  officers  above-named,  for  records  of  further 
instances  of  individual  gallantry. 

In  like  manner,  I  refer  to  the  reports  of  Brigadier  General  Evans, 
to  Colonel  C.  H.  Stevens,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Simonton,  and  to 
Colonel  Hagood's,  and  to  his  subordinate  commanders,  and  Col.  Goodlet, 
who,  all  deserving  high  praiso  themselves,  have  doubtless  bestowed 
it  where  it  is  best  deserved. 

I  enclose,  herewith,  a  list  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing — 
amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  204.  Many  of  those  reported  as 
wounded,  have  been  slightly  so. 

I  also,  enclose  a  list  of  those  most  highly  commended  by  com- 
manders. 

From  the  best  information  I  have  received,  I  estimate  the  loss 
of  the  enemy  to  have  been  between  seven  and  eight  hundred. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Major  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  N.  G.  EVANS. 


Headquarters  2d  Military  Division,  S.  C,  ) 
Adams'  Run,  June  Idth,  1862.       \ 

To  Major  J.  R.  Waddv, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Charleston,  S.  C.  : 

Major  . — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  ac- 
tion of  the  troops  under  my  command  on  James  Island  on  the  16th 
instant. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  15th  inst.,  I  was  informed  by  Colonel  T.  G, 
Lamar,  1st  artillery,  that  from  his  observation  of  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  he  was  convinced  that  Secessionville  would,  doubtless,  be 
attached  either  on  that  niglit  or  on  the  morning  of  the  16th.  I  di- 
rected him  to  hold  his  position,  that  he  would  be  reinforced  if  neces- 
sary. At  2  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  inst.,  I  received  a 
note  from  him,  informing  me  that  the  enem;y  were  advancing-.  I  re- 
paired to  Clarke's  house  as  soon  as  possible,  where  I  arrived  at  fifteen 
minutes  past  4  o'clock,  A.  M.,  when  I  found  Colonel  Johnson  Ilagood, 
1st  S.  C.  v.,  had,  in  his  untiring  vigilance,  ordered  three  regiments 
"to  be  in  readiness  for  an  immediate  attack,  and  had  already  sent  a  de- 
tachment of  Colonel  Goodlett's  regiment  to  the  support  of  Colonel 
Lamar,  watching  closely  the  movements  of  the  enemy  in  front  of  Seces- 
sionville. I  determined  to  reinforce  the  place  to  two  thousand  strong, 
and  immediately  ordered  the  4th  Louisiana  battalion  and  Col.  Goodlett's 
regiment  to  repair  at  double  quick  and  report  to  Colonel  Lamar,  at 
Secessionville.  Lieutenant  Colonel  McEnery,  with  his  battalion,  ar- 
rived just  in  time  to  receive  the  second  assault  of  the  enemy  and  to 
•■materially  aid  in  repulsing  him.  At  this  time,  I  received  a  message 
'rfrom  Colonel  Ilagood,  that  the  enemy  were  approaching  on  our  right, 
and  asking  reinforcements.  I  directed  him  to  attack  the  enemy,  and 
immediately  ordered  the  5Ist  Georgia  and  Colonel  AVilliams'  regiment 
to  repair  to  his  assistance.  The  engagement  now  became  general  on 
both  wings.  Colonel  C.  H.  Stevens,  who  was  with  Colonel  Ilagood, 
seeing  that  the  twenty-foui'  pound  battery,  near  Clarke's  house,  was 
not  l)cing  fired,  directed  Lieutenant  Colonel  Capers,  of  his  regiment, 
to  take  command  of  his  battery  and  to  fire  on  the  enemy,  with  which, 
•though  one  piece  was  dismounted,  he  did  gallant  and  effective  service, 


441 

firing  constantly  into  the  flank  of  tlie  enemy.  On  the  third  assault  of 
the  enemy,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Capers  was  very  successful  with  his 
piece,  piercing  the  columns  of  the  enemy  eleven  times. 

For  the  details  of  the  gallant  defence  of  the  works  at  Sccessionville, 
I  would  respectfully  refer  the  j\Iajor  General  commanding  to  the  offi- 
cial reports  of  the  immediate  commanders  herewith  submitted.  Three 
times  did  that  heroic  band  repulse  (often  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet) 
a  force  thrice  their  strength,  under  the  fire  of  three  gunboats  and  four 
stationary  or  land  batteries.  About  10  o'clock,  the  enemy  retreated 
in  great  confusion,  leavino;  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field,  a 
number  lying  in  our  trenches.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  I  have  been 
unable  to  ascertain,  but,  from  what  I  saw,  was  at  least  four  hundred  in 
killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  The  dead  of  the  enemy  immediately 
in  front  of  the  Sccessionville  Avorks,  numbered  one  hundred 
and  sixty-eight,  while  forty-two  wounded  had  been  brought 
within  the  works.  The  dead  I  directed  to  be  immediately  buried,  and 
the  wounded  to  be  removed  to  the  hospital.  A  considerable  number 
of  arms  and  accoutrements  were  captured,  a  partial  return  of  which 
will  be  found  in  the  paper  marked  "  G."  A  full  report  of  these  arms 
I  directed  Captain  Reary,  ordnance  officer,  to  make  to  the  chief  of 
ordnance  in  Charleston.  At  12  o'clock,  M.,  I  received  a  note  from 
the  Major  General  commanding,  that  he  was  at  Brigadier  General 
Gist's  headquarters,  asking  if  I  wished  reinforcements,  that  they 
were  ready.  I  replied,  through  my  aid-de-camp,  that  I  thought  the 
enemy  was  leaving  his  position,  as  he  was  burning  the  houses  lie  had 
first  occupied.  1  then  joined  the  Major  General  commanding  and 
accompanied  him  to  Sccessionville,  to  inspect  the  works  as  well  as  to 
ascertain  our  loss,  and  the  situation  and  condition  of  our  troops. 
After  giving  instructions  relative  to  the  wounded  and  dead,  also  as  to 
the  arms  captured,  I  returned  to  my  headquarters,  and,  in  accordance 
with  instructions  from  the  Major  General  commanding,  ordered  Col. 
P.  H.  Colquett  to  repair  with  his  regiment  of  Georgia  volunteers  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  relieve  Colonel  Goodlett,  in  command  of  Scces- 
sionville. Colonel  Goodlett  and  his  command  were  completely  worn 
down  and  exhausted,  I  would  here  state,  that  I  hr.d  before  directed 
Colonel  Lamar  to  send  all  of  his  exhausted  men  to  the  rear  on  the 
arrival  of  Colonel  Goodlett's  command,  which  order  left  him  but  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  for  duty. 

The  troops  at  Sccessionville,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  were 
much  fatigued,  as  they  had  been  engaged  at  work  in  the  entrench- 
ments durincr  the  entire  ni^jht,  and  ma  iv  were  entirely  worn  out  when 
the  action  commenced  in  tlie  morning. 

In  reference  to  the  action  on  our  right,  I  would  respectfully  refer  for 
particulars  to  the  reports  of  Colonels  Hagood  and  C.  H.  Stevens, 
herewith  enclosed. 

To  my  personal  staff,  1st  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Rodgcrs,  special  aid- 
de-camp.  Captains  R.  E.  Elliott  and  Samuel  J.  Corrie,  and  II.  W. 
Carr,  1  am  much  indebted  for  their  untiring  exertions  in  transmitting 
my  orders  under  fire.  Assistant  Surgeon  James  Evans,  of  my  staff, 
rendered  material  aid  to  the  wounded,  who  were  brought  to  the  rear. 


442 

In  conclusion,  I  would  add  that,  at  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,.  Brigadier 
General  W.  D.  Smith  joined  me  at  Clarke's  housejAvhere  I  directed  him 
to  take  commaad  of  the  right  wing,  and  attack  the  enemy  vigorously. 
I  have  received  no  report  from  him,  hut  take  it  for  granted  the  reports 
of  Colonels  Ilagood  and  Stevens  cover  the  action  of  the  troops  on  the 
right. 

To  the  dauntless  Lamar  and  the  troops  under  his  command,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  assault,  the  Charleston  battery,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Gaillard,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith's  battalion,  and  compa- 
nies of  Lamar's  regiment  engaged,  the  country,  and  South  Carolina 
in  particular,  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  and  thanks,  which  I  know  a 
grateful  people  will  acknowledge.  For  the  gallant  dead  the  country 
will  ever  mourn. 

The  intrepid  Reed  fell  whilst  cheering  his  men  to  victory,  just  as 
the  enemy  was  repulsed. 

The  reports  herewith  enclosed  Avill  give  casualties  on  our  side, 
thirty-nine- killed,  ninety-three  wounded  and  two  missing.  Total,  one 
hundred  and  tliirty-four. 

No  report  has  been  received  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith's  bat- 
talion. Colonel  T.  G.  Lam xr's  report  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as 
received. 

IlereAvith  I  also  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Stevens,  commanding  the  Federal  forces,  and  also  a  copy  of  my 
reply.  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  G.  EVANS, 
Brigadier  General  commanding^ 


RErORT  OF  COLONEL  LAMAR. 


To  Major  General  J.  C.  Pe.vbf.rton, 

Commanding  Department  of  S.  C.  and  Ga.  : 

General:  Through  the  interposition  of  Providence,  it  hccame  my 
duty  to  report  to  you  that  the  forces  under  my  command  gained  a 
complete  victory  over  the  enemy  on  the  16th  instant,  at  Secessionville 
Neck. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  June,  about  4  o'clock,  my  pickets 
were  driven  in,  ai;d  reported  to  me  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in 
force,  and  had  already  passed  Rives'  house,  distant  from  my  batteries, 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  I  immediately  dispatched  a  courier  to 
Lieutenant  Colonels  Gaillard  and  Smith,  ordering  them  to  move  up 
their  battalions  at  once,  and  to  General  Evans,  to  inform  him  of  the 
advance  of  the  foe,  and  I  then  proceeded  to  my  batteries,  where  I  found 
a  detachment  at  each  gun,  (having  ordered  such  to  be  the  case  day 
and  night.) 

When  I  arrived  at  the  batteries,  I  found  that  the  enemy  were  within 
seven  hundred  yards,  in  line  of  battle,  and  advancing  on  me  at  the 
double-quick.  I  ordered  the  8  inch  columbiad  to  bo  loaded  with  grape, 
■which  order  was  promptly  obeyed  by  Lieutenant  Mosely,  of  company 
I,  whom  I  found  at  the  battery  on  my  arrival.  I  mounted  the  chassis, 
and  pointed  the  gun  myself;  in  the  meantime  Sergeant  James  M.  Ba^g- 
gott,  of  Captain  Reed's  company  B,  fired  upon  the  advancing  line  from 
the  rifled  24  pound  gun,  to  the  left  of  the  columbiad,  and  of  which  he 
was  the  gunner.  My  reason  for  pointing  the  columbiad  myself,  was 
to  fire  at  the  center  of  the  line,  and  thereby  break  it,  in  order  to 
cause  confusion  and  delay,  so  that  I  might  get  my  infantry  into  position 
•previous  to  their  reaching  my  lines.  The  shot  had  the  desired  effect; 
they  immediately  flanked  to  the  right  and  left. 

I  then  ordered  the  columbiad  to  be  loaded  with  canister,  which  was 
promptly  done,  and  I  again  pointed  it.  I  then  left  the  battery  to  get 
my  infantry  into  position.  On  leaving  the  battery,  I  met  Lieutenant 
Humbert,  of  cwnpany  I,  (under  whose  command  the  columbiad  was,) 
within  two  or  three  paces  of  the  battery,  and  directed  him  to  give 
them  canister  freely,  which  he  did.  I  then  ordered  Captain  T.  Y. 
Simons,  to  go  to  Lieutenant  Colonels  Gaillard  and  Smith,  and  tell  them 
to  hurry  up  their  battalions. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith,  of  the  Pec  Dee  Battalion,  first  attracted 
my  attention,  whereupon,  I  ordered  him  to  take  position  on  the  left. 


444 

Although  the  enemy  had  then  reached  the  left  flank,  and  were  pouring 
in  a  murderous  lire  on  my  men  at  the  guns,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Smith  obeyed  with  promptness,  and  soon  drove  them  from  their  posi- 
tion. I  then  ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gaillard  to  take  position  on 
my  right  and  center,  which  was  promptly  done.  It  was  not  long, 
after  getting  my  infantry  into  position,  that  the  enemy  were  driven 
back  in  confusion.  They  were  soon,  however,  reinforced  and  made 
another  desperate  charge,  when  I  again  drove  them  back  ;  a  third  time 
they  came,  but  only  to  meet  with  a  most  determined  repulse. 

They  then  made  a  flank  movement  on  my  right  on  the  west  of  Seces- 
sionvillc,  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek,  where  they  were  gallantly 
met  by  the  Charleston  battalion,  which  was  soon  reinforced  by  the 
Louisiana  battalion,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  M'Enerj'',  who 
also  gallantly  met  them  with  a  cheer.  At  this  time,  I  was  so  much 
exhausted  from  loss  of  blood,  from  having  been  wounded  in  the  head 
by  a  minnie  ball  on  the  second  charge,  that  the  command  was  turned 
over  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gaillard,  and  afterwards  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Wagner,  although  I  never  ceased  to  give  orders  to  my  batteries. 
^Ve  achieved  a  great  victory,  yet  it  was  at  a  considerable  loss,  both 
in  numbers  and  personal  worth.  Captain  Samuel  J.  Reed,  of  Barn- 
well district,  and  commanding  company  B,  fell  while  gallantly  fight- 
ing at  his  gun.  I  may  safely  say,  that  his  place  cannot  be  filled.  He 
was  everything  that  could  be  desired  in  an  officer,  and  as  brave,  true, 
and  gallant  a  man,  as  ever  sacrificed  his  life  on  a  field  of  battle.  Peace 
to  his  ashes  ? 

Lieutenants  Lancaster  and  Johnson,  of  company  B,  who  were  in 
command  of  the  two  rifled  24-poundcrs,  did  great  execution,  although 
not  having  grape  or  canister.  Lieutenant  Bellinger,  of  the  same 
company,  who  commanded  the  IS-pounder,  poured  a  murderous  fire 
into  the  approaching  line,  and  in  connection  with  the  columbiad,  did 
more  than  anything  else  for  the  fortunes  of  the  day.  These  gallant 
officers  deserve  the  thanks  of  the  counti'y,  and  I  commend  them  to 
your  notice.  Captain  G.  D.  Keitt,  and  Lieutenants  Humbert,  Barton, 
Oliver  and  Mosely,  all  acted  with  great  bravery  and  determination. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  bringing  to  further  notice,  senior 
1st  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Humbert,  of  company  I,  who  acted  with  so  much 
gallantry  and  detormination  in  managing  his  gun,  to  which  maybe 
mainly  attributed  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  not  only  on  account  of  its 
calibre  and  weight  of  metal,  but  to  its  well  directed  fire  and  to  the  skill 
with  which  it  was  managed ;  and  also  2nd  Lieutenants  T^  P.  Oliver, 
and  J.  W.  Mosely  of  the  same  company,  who  rendered  valuable  assis- 
tance to  Lieutenant  Humbert.  First  Lieutenant  Barton,  of  the  same 
company,  displayed  great  skill  and  coolness  in  the  management  of  the 
mortar,  which  had  considerable  eff'ect  upon  the  enemy.  Too  much 
praise  cannot  be  given  to  these  gallant  officers,  and  to  the  detachments 
under  their  command.  Captain  F.  T.  Miles,  of  the  Calhoun  Guard, 
Charleston  battalion,  who  was  stationed  at  my  batteries,  during  the 
previous  night,  and  whose  command  was  the  first  placed  in  position, 
has  my  sincere  thanks.  Ho  and  his  men  fought  like  heroes,  and  did 
all  that  men  could  do. 


445 

Lieutenant  Colonel  P.  C.  Gaillard  and  Major  David  Ramsey,  con- 
ducted themselves  Avith  the  utmost  coolness,  and  -were  as  gallant  as 
officers  could  be.  They  boih,  as  well  as  their  entire  command,  acted 
with  commendable  courage  and  determination,  and  deserve  the  thanks 
of  the  country. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  D.  Smith,  commanding  the  Pee  Dee  battalion,, 
and  a  most  gallant  officer,  was  the  first  that  attracted  my  attention 
•when  the  infantry  were  coming  up  to  the  engagement,  and  to  him  I 
am  indebted  for  having  relieved  my  left  flank  at  a  very  critical  time. 
I  noticed  that  several  of  his  men  were  shot  down  before  he  could  get 
into  position,  and,  that  after  the  enemy  had  been  driven  back  tlie  first 
time,  and  while  they  were  on  their  second  charge,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Smith  went  out  upon  the  field  in  front  of  the  battery,  gathered  up  as 
many  of  the  small  arms  of  the  enemy  as  he  could  carry,  and  gave 
them  to  his  own  men,  whose  guns  had  refused  to  fire.  I  commend  him 
to  your  favorable  notice.  His  command  acted  with  great  courage.  My 
thanks  are  also  due  to  Major  Hudson,  who  acted  with  decided  gal- 
lantry. I  must  also  speak  in  high  terms  of  the  actions  of  Lieutenant 
W.  H.  Kitchings,  of  company  H,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Reed 
battery  at  Clark's  house,  Avhich  battery  consisted  of  two  smooth  bore 
24-pound  guns,  and  also  of  my  Adjutant,  Lieutenant  E.  J.  Frederick, 
■who,  seeing  that  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  were  concealed  on  my 
right  flank,  over  the  marsh,  and  were  picking  off  my  men,  pro- 
ceeded immediately  to  the  above  battery,  when  he  and  Lieutenant 
Kitchings  soon  dislodged  them,  and  poured  well  directed  shots  into  them 
as  they  retreated. 

To  Captain  McCreery,  of  the  ordnance  department,  as  well  as  to 
Captain  Bonneau  and  Lieutenants  Matthews  and  Hall,  of  our  gun- 
boat, I  return  my  sincere  thanks,  for  their  valuable  service  at  the 
columbiad  battery. 

The  casualties  in  the  two  companies  of  my  regiment  that  wore  en- 
gaged, are  as  follows  : 

Company  1>,  Barnwell  district.  Killed — Captain  S.  J.  Rocd,  2nd 
Sergeant  JameS  M,  Baggott.  Privates  Elbert  Bates,  R,  R.  Bates,  H. 
H.  Dycles,  W.  J.  Nix,  W.  Redmond,  D.  J.  Reilly,  and  J.  Watson. 

Mortally  wounded  and  since  dead — Privates  Chesley  Bates  and 
Jeflf.  C.  Eaves. 

Wounded  severely — Sergeant  R.  F.  Nevills,  and  privates  V.  W. 
Bellinger,  W.  Fleming,  Redick  Pitts,  W.  J.  Chitly,  F.  M.  King,  L. 
L.  Cox,  H.  H.  Nevills,  S.  H.  Nevills,  H.  L.  Baggott,  Thomas  Ursery, 
W.  D.  Elkins,  J.  W.  Gillara,  J.  G.  Mitchel,  B.  H.  Dyches.  J.  W. 
Phillips,  i).  P.  Hutson,  W.  J.  Martin,  J.  B.  Corbit,  J.  R.  Wains,  and 
M.  Whaley. 

Wounded  slightly — Corporal  N.  A.  R.  Walker,  and  privates  A.  O. 
Ilouscr,  J.  J.  Walker,  D.  Holden,  W.  R.  Delk,  and  J.  Templctou. 

Missing — W.  P.  Hair,  (previously  wounded.) 

Company  I,  Orangeburg  District.  Killed — Privates  W.  H.  Araaker, 
J.  A.  R.  Shuler,  H.  A.  Hoover,  Daniel  Kelly,  J.  W.  Gibson,  and  Jno. 
Jones. 


446 

Wounded  severely — Sergeant  George  Bolivar,  private  J.  C.  Evans. 
Slightly — Sergeant  J.  Marchant,  Sergeant  S.  C.  L.  Miller.  Privates 
J,  C.  Stevenson,  N.  A.  Whetstone,  G,  J.  Bonnett,  G.  J.  Parlor,  John 
Robinson  and  G.  W.  Golson. 

Recapitulation: 

Killed 15 

Since  dead 2 

Wounded 37 

Missing 1 

Total 55 

I  cstimat:  the  loss  of  the  enemy,  as  near  as  I  can,  at  from  six  to 
eight  hundred;  341  of  their  dead  are  buried  in  front  of  my  batteries  ; 
107  were  taken  prisoners,  many  wounded,  and  who  have  since  died,' 
and  I  conjecture  that  some  were  drowned.  Large  quantities  of  their 
wounded  were  carried  oft'  by  their  ambulances.  About  400  stand  of 
small  arms  fell  into  our  hands,  together  with  one  horse  wounded  in  the 
mouth,  and  numerous  smaller  articles. 

For  the  casualties  in  the  Charleston  battalion.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Gaillard,  and  the  Pee  Dee  battalion,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith, 
together  with  their  reports  concerning  the  behavior  of  officers  and  men, 
I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  accompanying  documents  marked  re- 
spectively, A  and  B. 

It  is  proper  to  state,  that  the  forces  under  my  command  did  not 
amount  to  more  than  500  men,  until  the  arrival  of  the  Louisiana  bat- 
talion. But  this  small  force  manfully  stood  their  ground  against  an 
assaulting  force  of  from  one  to  five  thousand  men,  among  whom  were 
the  picked  regiments  of  the  enemy, — the  79th  New  York  Highlanders, 
and  the  8th  Michigan, — nothwithstanding,  that  they  had  for  fourteen 
days  and  nights,  been  subjected  to  the  most  arduous  duties. 

On  Sunday  night  the  15th  inst.,  I  received  orders  from  Brigadier 
General  Evans,  to  the  eft'ect,  that  although  it  might  require  super- 
human exertions,  he  expected  me  to  take  the  guns  off  the  gun-boat, 
and  place  them  in  battery  on  land.  This  was  impossible,  unless  I  had  had 
a  force  and  the  means  under  my  control,  that  were  necessary  to  move 
these  guns.  I  therefore  had  to  have  the  gun-boat  moved  up  to  Seces- 
sionville,  where  there  was  a  wharf.  In  the  meantime,  I,  with  the  two 
companies  of  my  own  regiment,  proceeded  to  throw  up  the  earthworks 
of  the  batteries,  which  was  not  completed  until  3  o'clock  the  next 
morning.  My  men  were  so  much  fatigued,  not  only  from  the  night 
work,  but  from  a  very  spirited  engagement  the  day  previous,  which 
lasted  several  hours,  against  the  gun-boats  and  land  batteries  of  the 
enemy,  that  I  allowed  them  to  lay  down  to  rest.  They  had  hardly  fallen 
asleep  when  the  alarm  was  given,  and  this  was  the  first  time  that 
any  man  was  allowed  to  sleep  without  his  arms  in  his  hand,  and  at 
the  spot  that  he  would  have  to  use  them,  during  the  time  that  I  had 
been  in  command  of  the  post. 


447 

In  conclusion,  I  would  state  that  the  great  victory  achieyed  on  the 
16th  June,  over  such  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  is  owing  entirely 
to  the  patriotism,  love  of  freedom,  and  indomitable  courage  of  the  of- 
ficers and  men  under  my  command.     Every  man  did  his  duty ! 
I  have  the  honor,  General,  to  be. 

With  sentiments  of  high  regard, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

F.  G.  LAMAR, 
Colonel  commanding  Post. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  DAVID  RAMSEY. 


Secessionville,  June  21,   1862. 
Colonel  T,  G.  Lamar  : 

Colonel:  I  beg  leave  to  forward  to  you  a  list  of  casualties  in  the 
Charleston  battalion,  in  the  engagement  of  the  IGth  instant: 

Field  and  Staft". — Wounded — Lieutenant  Colonel  P.  C.  Gaillard, 
slightly  in  knee;   Captain  R.  Press.  Smith,  A.  Q.  M.,  severely. 

Company  A,  Charleston  Riflemen. — Wounded — Captain  Julius  A. 
Blake,  slightly;   Lieutenant  F.  Lynch,  slightly. 

Company  B,  Charleston  Light  Lifantry. — ^Killed — Private  J.  B. 
W.  Hammett.  Wounded,  mortally — private  P.  Gilhooly.  Wounded, 
slightly — Privates  M.  Lacy  and  W.  H.  Lutclifte,  Missing — J.  R. 
Gibbes  and  J.  P.  Johnson. 

Company  C,  Irish  Volunteers. — Killed — Private  Dan.  Howard. 
Wounded,  severely — John  May.  Wounded — slightly — Lieutenant 
John  Burke,  private  J,  P.  Murphy. 

Company  D,  Sumter  Guard. — Killed — Captain  II.  C.  King,  Lieut. 
J.  J.  Edwards,  Corporal  J.  Volentine,  privates  G.  Poznanski  and  S. 
F.  Edgerton.  Wounded — Sergeant  J.  J.  Wells  ;  privates  R.  C.  Evans, 
A.  Roumillat,  E.  L.  Terry,  W.  W.  Johnson,  11.  Neufoille,  H.  Volen- 
tine, E.  S.  Tennent,  G.  W.  Dingle,  T.  P.  Lockwood. 

Company  E,  Calhoun  Guard. — Killed — Private  Thomas  Parker. 
Wounded — Captain  F.  T.  Miles,  Lieutenant  J.  W.  Axon,  Sergeant 
S.  C.  Black;  privates  C.  P.  Brown,  C.  B.  Buist,  Isnac  Holmes,  H.  C. 
Choate,  J.  E.  Smith. 

Company  F,  Union  Light  Infantry. — Killed — Sergeant  R.  J. 
Ilenery  ;  private  James  Davis.  Wounded — Lieutenant  George  Brown  ; 
private  Wm.  Cummins. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed  10.     Wounded  30.     Missing  2,     Total  42. 

It  is  hardly  possible  to  enumerate  the  individual  instances  of.  valor 
and  good  conduct.  All  did  their  duty,  and  the  list  of  dead  and 
Vrounded  will  testify  v/ith  what  devotion.  Out  of  about  one  hundred 
men,  forty,  besides  the  two  of  the  field  and  staff,  were  killed  or 
wounded.  You  are  aware  of  the  distinguislied  conduct  and  skill  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Gaillard,  in  command  after  you  were  wounded, 
until  the  arrival  of  Lieut.  Col.  McEnery,  and  t  only  mention,  as 
peculiarly  noticeable,  Lieut,   Campbell,  of  "^company  F,  who  repulsed, 


449 

personally,  a  storming  party,  using  a  handspike,  until  he  seized  a  rifle. 
Also,  Mr.  Josiah  Tennent,  of  the  Calhoun  Guard,  who  felled  no  less 
than  six  of  the  enemy.  Captain  William  Ryan's  good  service  at  a 
gun  you  can  appreciate  yourself.  Lieutenant  George  Brown  and 
Sergeant  Ilendrick,  of  company  F,  deserve  mention  for  bringing  am- 
munition through  a  heavy  fire ;  and  most  particularly  Lieutenant 
Alexander  A.  Allemory,  of  the  Irish  volunteers,  who  passed  and  re- 
passed a  severe  fire  of  musketry  and  cannon  several  times  with  ammu- 
nition in"his  arms.  I  have  mentioned  those  especially  noticeable,  but 
can  only  repeat  that  I  refrain  from  enumerating  others,  simply  be- 
cause it  would  be  to  furnish  a  roll  of  those  engaged. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  RAMSEY, 
Major  commandirg  C.  Battalion. 
29 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  A.  D.  SMITH. 


Secessionville,  James  Island,  ) 
June  19th,  1862.      V 

Colonel  Lamar  : 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  casualties  in  my  command,  in 
the  engagement  of  the  16th  instant: 

Company  A,  Captain  Smart. — Killed,  none ;  wounded  seriously, 
private  H.  Cooper  and  Alexander  Bourn  ;  wounded  slightly,  sergeant 
W.  T.  Smith  ;  lieutenant  T.  Sarvis,  and  privates  Wm.  Buss  and  F. 
M.  Jordan,  were  captured  on  picket. 

Company  B,  Captain  Evans. — Killed — Private  Duncan  Deas  ; 
wounded  seriously,  sergeant  W.  L.  McFarland,  (since  died,)  private 
Jesse  Pierce  ;  slightly,  privates  R.  D.  Moore,  John  R.  Threat  and 
Isaac  Hurst. 

Company  C,  Captain  Davis. — Killed,  none  ;  wounded  seriously, 
privates  Wm.  Cole  and  Thomas  Driggers ;  slightly,  private  Leonard 
Oxendicu  ;  corporal  John  Roller,  arm  shot  off. 

Company  D,  Captain  Best. — Killed — Privates  J.  T.  Alford  and  J. 
IL  Lay  ;  wounded  seriously,  first  lieutenant  J.  G.  Beauty  ;  slightly, 
privates  S.  Jones  and  M.  Stalvey. 

Company  F,  Captain  Carter. — Killed,  none ;  wounded  seriously, 
private  C.  C.  Anderson ;  slightly,  corporal  E,  F.  Sandsbury,  and 
privates  W.  D.  Rollins  and  J.  E.  P.  Hickson. 

Company  G,  Captain  Graham. — Killed,  none ;  wounded  seriously, 
privates  L.  Stricken  and  Wm.  Eliot ;  slightly,  orderly  sergeant  John 
H.  Williamson,  and  private  J.  W.  Tripps. 

UECAPITULATION. 

Killed  3;  since  died  1  ;  wounded  22;  captured  3.     Total  29. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  D.  SMITH, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  commanding  Smithes  Battalion. 


REPORT  OF   COLONEL   JOHNSON  HAGOOD,  FIRST  REGL 
MENT  S.  C.  VOLUNTEERS. 


Headquarters  Advancld  Forces,  ) 
James  Island,  June  18,  1862.     ) 

Captain  Mallory  P.  King, 

*  A.  A.  General  : 

Captain:  I  am  required  to  report  the  opjerations  of  the  troops  un- 
der my  command  on  the  16th  inst. 

Some  days  previously  I  had  had  the  honor  to  be  placed  in  command 
of  a  corps,  composed  of  the  1st  and  24th  South  Carolina  volunteers, 
the  Eutaw  battalion,  and  jMcEnery's  Louisiana  battalion,  to  which 
were  assigned  the  duties  of  the  advanced  guard.  The  force  at  Seces- 
sionville,  however,  continued  to  keep  out  in  front  of  that  position  its 
own  outposts,  which  Avere  not  under  my  command,  and  made  no  direct 
report  to  me.  This  has  since  been  changed.  On  the  night  of  the 
15th  and  16th,  the  troops  on  outpost  duty  under  my  command,  consis- 
ted of  seven  companies  of  Stevens'  24th  S.  C.  regiment,  six  compa- 
nies of  Ilagood's  1st.  S.  C.  volunteers,  and  one  company  of  the  47th 
Georgia  volunteers  (Col.  Williams),  all  under  the  immediate  charge  of 
Col.  Stevens.  They  covered  the  whole  front  of  our  lines,  from  Seces- 
sionville  road  to  New  Town  cut.  The  pickets  from  Sccessionville, 
covered  the  space  from  the  Secessionville  road  to  the  marsh  on  the 
left  of  ©ur  lines. 

At  4:30  A.  M.,  on  the  16th,  I  received  a  dispatch  from  Colonel 
Stevens,  that  the  Socessionville  pickets  had  been  driven  in,  and  that 
the  enemy  was  advancing  in  force  upon  that  position.  I  immediately 
ordered  under  arms  the  portion  of  the  Ist  reginlent  not  on  picket, 
and  Colonel  Siraonton's  Eutaw  battalion,  directing  them  to  proceed 
down  the  Battery  Island  road,  in  front  of  our  entrenchments,  to  tho 
flank  of  the  enemy's  advance,  and  ordered  Colonel  McEnery's  Loui- 
siana battalion  to  proceed  in  rear  by  the  bridge  to  Secessionville,  de- 
livering these  orders  in  person. 

Proceeding  in  axlvance  down  the  Battery  Island  rord,  I  ordered  for- 
ward one  of  the  two  aix-pounders  of  Boycc's  battery,  stationed  at  the 
crossing  of  the  Fort  Johnson  road,  and  arriving  at  the  scene  of  ac- 
tion, found  the  enemy  making  their  second  advance  upon  the  post  at 


452 

Secessionvilk.      A   thicket  of  foiled  trees  ran  parallel  with  their  line 
of  advance,  and  ahout  foyr  hundred  yards  west   of  it,  on  the  edge  of 
vhich.  next  the  enemy,  Colonel  Stevens  had  deployed  about  one  hun- 
dred men.  who  had  been  on  picket  duty  near  that  point.      These  men 
were  from  the  companies  of  Captains   Tompkins,   Pearson,   (Lieuten- 
ant Ilammcter,   commanding,)    and   Gooding,   (Lieutenant  Beckham, 
commanding,)  of  the   24th  regiment  S.  C.  volunteers.     The  Battery 
Island  road,  so  obstructed,  as  to  be  impassable  by  troops  or  vehicles, 
ran  between  this  felled  thicket  and  a  dense  wood,  stretching  towards 
GrimbaU's,  on  the  Stono.      Simouton's  battalion,  coming  up,  was  placed 
behind  the  felled  thicket   in   line  of  battle,  its  right  resting  near  the 
Battery  Island  road,  and  the   detachment  of  the   1st  regiment  S.    C. 
volunteers  Avas  placed  in  reserve  in  the  Battery  Island  road,  throwing 
a  strong  line  of  skirmishers  toward  the  Stono,  which  runs  nearly  par- 
allel with  this,  road,   to   guard   against  an   advance  from   that  point. 
Boyce's  piece,  under  Lieutenant  Jeter,  was  placed  on  Simonton's  left, 
at  the  extremity  of  the  felled  thicket.     The  object  of  this  disposition 
was  chiefly  defensive,  as  a  general  advance  upon  our  lines  seemed  im- 
minent.    Three  regiments  of  infantry  advanced  in  fron^  of  us,  but 
beyond  musket  range,   to  attack  the  west  flank  of  the  work  at  Seces- 
sionville,  being  supported- by  a  battery  of  field  artillery,  near  the  Bat- 
tery Island  road,  in  front  and  beyond  Simonton's  right.     Lieutenant 
efeter  was  directed   to   open   upon  these  regiments,  w^hich  he  did  with 
effect.      I   immediately  sent  to  the  general  commanding,  asking  to  be 
supported  in  making  an  attack  upon  the  rear  and  flank  of  these  regi- 
ments.    When  the  permission  to  attack,  and  the  assursipce  of  support 
arrived,  the  enemy  had  retreated.     In  the   meanwhile  the  fire  of  Je- 
ter's piece   drew  upon  us  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  field  battery, 
which,  from  the  sheltered  position  of  our  troops,  did  but  little  damage, 
and  four  companies  of  the  3d   Bhode  Island  regiment  were  sent  as 
skirmishers  to  seize  the  felled  woods  and  capture  the  piece.     Stevens' 
skirmishers  gallantly  repelled  them.      A  portion  of  the  enemy,  how- 
ever, penetrated  to  Simonton's  line  of  battle,  and  one  of  his  compa- 
nies, and  a  platoon  of  another,    were  for   a  few  minutes  engaged  in 
driving  them  back.      A  few  casualties  in   other  portions  of  his  line 
occurred  from  tlie  random  fire  of  the   enemy  engaged  with  our  skir- 
mishers, and  one  man  in  the  detachment  from   the    1st  regiment  was 
waunded  in  the  same  way.     The  enemy,  in  retiring,  was  seen  carry- 
ing off  their  wounded.     Six  men  were  left  dead  in  front  of  our  skirm- 
ishers, twelve  were  left  dead  farther  on  towards  Secessionville,  where 
the  three  regiments  spoken  of  were  fired  upon  by  Lieutenant  Jeter, 
making  their  loss 'in  this  part  of  the  field,  eighteen  killed.     Eleven 
prisoners  were  captured,  of  whom  eight  were  Avounded.       Sixty- eight 
small  a,rms,  mostly  Enfield  rifles,  were   abandoned  by  them,  and  reco- 
vered by    this    command.       Our  loss  was  eight   killed,    twenty-two 
wounded,  and  two  missing.     Appended  is  a  detailed  list  of  casualties. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHNSON  HAGOOD, 
Colonel  \st  S.  C.  Volunteers,  commanding.. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL    C.    W.    STEVENS,,  24th  R-EGIMENT 
S.  C.  VOLUNTEERS. 


Headquarters  24th  Reg't  S.  C.  Voluntkkks,  > 
James  Island,  June   18,   I<S62.       ) 

Colonel  Johnson  ITagood, 

15^  Regiment  S.  C.  Volunteers, 

Com7nandmg  Advanced  Forces. 

Colonel:  In  obedience  to  orders,  I  beg  to  submit  the  following  re- 
port of  the  part  taken  by  my  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Secessionville, 
on  the  morning  of  the  16th  inst. 

Seven  companies  of  the  24th  regiment  S.  C.  volunteers,  with  six 
companies  of  the  1st  regiment  S.  C.  volunteers,  and  one  from  the  47tli 
Georgia  regiment,  constituted  the  picket  force  placed  under  my  com- 
mand, and  with  which  I  went  on  duty  on  Sunday,  loth  instant.  This 
force  covered  our  whole  picket  line,  except  that  in  front  of  Secessiou- 
ville,  which  was  guarded  by  pickets  from  the  force  stationed  at  that 
post. 

All  remained  quiet  along  the  line  during  the  day  and  night, 
and  at  day-light  I  rode  to  New  Town  cut,  with  a  view  to  visit  and  in- 
spect the  pickets.  On  reaching  that  point  I  distinctly  he.irdtlie  guns 
of  the  enemy  in  front  of  Secessionville,  and  starte<l  on  my  return  to 
that  point.  On  my  way  I  encountered  a  courier  with  the  intelligence, 
that  the  enemy  had  advanced  in  large  force  to  storm  our  works  at  Se- 
cessionville. This  information  I  immediately  forwarded  to  yourself 
and  to  the  headquarters  of  tlie  brigadier  general  commanding,  pro- 
ceeding myself  to  the  front  to  verify  the  statement.  In  passing  I 
took  portions  of  four  companies  of  my  regiment  which  happened  to 
be  on  duty  in  that  vicinity,  and  moved  thorn  in  the  direction  of  the  aba- 
tis of  felled  timber,  extending  on  the  left  of  tho  Battery  Island  road. 

I  ordered  Captain  Weaver,  company  I,  to  occupy  this  abatis,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating  it  with  his  skirmishers.  The 
'detachments  of  my  other  three  companies,  viz  :  company  D,  Captain 
Gooding  ;  company  G,  Lieutenant  llammeter,  and  company  K,  Caj)- 
tain  Tompkins,  numbering  le?3  than  one  hundred  men,  were  posted 


454 

in  a  heavy  thicket,  extending  from  the  abatis  to  the  marsh  on  the  left. 
<jn  taking  this  position  I  found  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle 
at  Hill's  house,  to  niy  right  and  front.  With  my  weak  force  this  po- 
sition could  only  be  defensive,  and  I  rode  back  to  ask  for  artillery  and 
support,  which  wore  brought  up  by  you.  As  all  of  the  subsequent 
erents  passed  under  your  own  observation,  it  is  unnecessary  to  report 
them,  except  that  I  would  especially  mention  Captain  Tompkins,  com- 
pany K,  and  Lieutenant  Beckham,  of  company  G,  and  the  detach- 
ments from -these  two  companies,  who  held  their  position  gallantly  in 
the  front  and  did  excellent  service,  until  ordered  to  withdraw. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Capers,  my  second  in  command,  having  been 
sent  by  you  to  order  fire  to  be  opened  from  the  new  twenty-four 
pounder  battery,  in  advance  of  our  lines,  w^as  retained  by  General 
Evans  at  that  post,  and  directed  the  fire  of  the  battery  with  his  usual 
gallantry  and  efiiciency. 

Major  Hammond  remained  at  his  post  in  charge  of  the  pickets  on 
the  hill  road  and  New  Town  cut.  After  the  enemy  had  left  the  field, 
I  returned  to  my  picket  duties  until  regularly  relieved.  I  append  a 
list  of  the  casualties  in  my  own  regiment. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

C.  H.  'STEVENS, 
Colonel  2ith  Resiment  S.  C.  Volunteers. 


LIST    OF    CASUxVLTIES   IN   THE    24th    REGIMENT    S.    C. 

VOLUNTEERS. 


Company  G,  Lieutenant  Ilammeter,  commanding. — Killed,  privates 
M.  Dawkins  and  John  Morrell. 
Wounded,  private  Joel  Hunt. 

Company  K,  Captain  Tompkins,  commanding, — Killed,  private  J. 
E.  Bussy. 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  F.  W.  Anderson,  sergeant  S.  W.  Burton, 
privates  James  Horn,  R.  P.  Germain  and  Pickens  New. 

Missing,  private  James  Collins. 

Company  D,  Captain  Gooding,  commanding. — Wounded,  sergeant 
D.  U.  Bowers. 

Company  I,  Captain  L.  B.  Weaver,  commanding. — Missing,  pri- 
vate John  Duncan. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Killed 3 

Wounded .* 7 

Missing 2 

Total 12. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  CHARLES  H.  SIMON- 

TON. 


Headquarters  Eutaw  Regiment,  ) 

25th  S.  C.  v.,  June  I7th,  1862.  J 

To  Captain  Joseph  Walker, 

A.  A:  A.  General : 

Captain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the 
results  of  the  engagement  of  yesterday,  to  my  regiment. 

Having  been  ordered  to  move  at  reveille,  I  formed  and  marched  my 
regiment  to  the  field  in  rear  of  Hill's  house,  and  having  there  reported 
to  Col.  Hagood,  was  placed  by  him  in  position,  behind  a  hedge. 
Upon  being  placed  in  position,  I  was  informed  that  Col.  Stevens  had 
a  portion  of  his  regiment  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  our  front,  and 
was  ordered  to  take  all  precautions  to  prevent  our  men  firing  into 
them. 

Shortly  after  we  took  position,  we  were  put  under  a  heavy  fire  of 
small  arms,  directed  principally  against  my  left  wing.  In  obedience 
to  orders,  I  kept  my  men  under  restraint  and  prevented  any  firing, 
until  feeling  satisfied  that  the  enemy  were  actually  in  my  front.  I 
then  gave  orders  to  fire.  After  a  brisk  fi»e  of  aboijt  a  half  hour,  they 
were  driven  off.  During  their  retreat,  we  were  exposed  to  an  enfilad- 
ing fire  from  a  field  battery  on  our  flank. 

Below,  I  append  a  list  of  casualties.  The  behavior  of  my  regiment 
was  such  as  I  could  have  wished. 

Lieut.  Blum,  of  the  Washington  Light  Infantry,  company  B,  whose 
company  was  chiefly  under  fire,  distinguished  himself  by  his  extreme 
coolness,  encouraging  his  men.  He  rendered  most  efficient  aid  in 
restraining  their  natural  desire  to  return  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 
The  conduct  of  his  men  could  not  be  surpassed.  They  were  under 
my  eye  all  the  time.  Two  of  his  men,  privates  J.  Campbell  Martin, 
and  T.  Grange  Simons,  Jr. — the  first  wounded  in  the  head  and  leg,  and 
the  other  in  three  places,  with  his  clothes  riddled  continued  to  fire, 
until  taken  from  the  field. 

A  large  number  of  arms  and  accoutrements  were  recovered  from  the 
.field,  and  several  prisoners  were  captured. 


457 

With  this,  I  cnclesG  the    reports  of  Lieut.   Blum,  and   of  Captain 
Adger,  Quartermaster.     The  arms  and  accoutrements  are  in  the  hands 
of  the  latter,  subject  to  your  order. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  CHARLES  IL  SLMONTON; 

Lt.  Col.  commanding. 


CASUALTIES  TO  EUTAW  REGIMENT— (25tii.  S.  C.  V.) 

Killed. 

Second  Lieut.  Richard  W.  Greer,  Washington  Light  Infantry,  co.  B. 
First  Serg't  F.  Lanneau,  Jr.,  **  <<  «  << 

Private  Samuel  Salters,  *'  <<•  <<  «< 

**      T.  N.  Gadsden,  Jr.,  <^  ". 


sligntly. 


Wounded. 

Private  J.  H.  Taverner,  Washington  Light  Inf\intry,  co.  B,  mortally. 

'*    J.  C.  Martin,  "  "  <<  <<      severely. 

Bat.  2d  Lt.  S.J.  Burger,  **  <<  << 

Private  J.  H.  Deveaux,  *■'  ''  << 

'*    J.  B.  Glover, 

''    T.G.  Simons,  Jr.,         ''  <« 

"    A.  S.  Trumbo, 

"    R.  S.  McCutchcn,         ''•  <'  << 

"    J.  H.  Shulte, 

**    J.  P.  Gibbes,  "  "=  <<■ 

"    E.  V.  Shuler,     St.  Matthews  Rifles,  slightly. 
«'    G.  M.  Dantzler,  ''  "  «« 

*'     J.  W.  Wannamakcr,     ''  ''  " 

Scrg't     R.  A.  Ilorton,  Yeadon  Light  Infantry,  slightly. 
Respectfully  submitted, 
(Signed)  CHARLES  H.  SIMONTON, 

Lt.  Col.  commnnding  Eutaw  regiment, 
Z5th  Sovth  Carolina  Volunteers 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  R.  A.  BLUM. 


Camp  Pettigrew,  James  Island,  S.  C,  ) 
June  16th,  1862.      ] 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Simonton, 

I  beg  leave  to  report  tlie  following  casualties  and  incidents  of  this 
morning's  engagement : 

Shortly  after  our  regiment  had  taken  its  position,  my  company  was 
subjected  to  repeated  volleys  discharged  from  the  thicket,  immediately 
in  our  front,  which  Ave  had  been  informed  was  held  by  a  company  from 
Colonel  Stevens'  regiment.  On  this  account,  in  obedience  to  orders 
from  Colonel  Ilagood,  we  did  not  reply  for  several  minutes.  Soon 
after  our  first  volley,  which  was  briskly  returned  by  the  enemy,  lieu- 
tenant R.  W.  Greer  and  first  sergeant  Fleetwood  Lanneau,  Jr.,  with 
the  following  members  of  my  company,  fell  dead  upon  the  field  : 

T.  N.  Gadsden,  Jr.,  and  Samuel  Satters,  J.  H.  Tavener  and  J. 
Campbell  Martin,  supposed  mortally  wounded. 

The  following  were  severely  wounded : 

2nd  battalion,  lieutenant  Samuel  J.  Burger;  privates  H.  B.  Glover, 
A.  S.  Trumbo,  T.  Grange  Simons,  Jr.,  J.  H.  Deveaux,  James  P. 
Gibbes,  R.  S.  McCutchen,  J.  H.  Shulte. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  single  out  individual  instances,  where  all 
behaved  with  the  utmost  coolness  and  bravery,  but  I  feel  that  it  is  but 
just  to  report  the  conduct  of  John  Campbell  Martin  and  T.  Grange 
Simons,  Jr.,  aswortliy  of  special  notice.  After  being  severely  wounded, 
they  persisted  in.  reloading  and  firing  until  overcome  by  exhaustion. 
I  am,  yours  respectfully, 
(Signed,)  R.  A.  BLUM, 

Lieutenant  commanding  W.  L.  I.  Co.  B.,  I.  R. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  J.  E.  ADGER. 


Camp  Pettigrew,  James  Island,  ) 
June  16th,  1862.      J 

Lieutenaut  Colonel  Simonto.v, 

Commanding  Eutaw  Regiment,  {26th  S.  C.  V.) 

Colonel  :  I  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  return  of  arms  and 
accoutrements,  &c.,  recovered  from  the  field  during,  and  subsequent 
to,  this  morning's  engagement  with  the  enemy  : 

Enfield  rifles,  in  order 54 

**         "       needing  repair 3 

*'         "       not  repairable 3-60 

Minnie     "       in  order 8 

Total  number  of  arms 68 

Cartridge  boxes 44 


o 


"     and  belts 26 


Waist  belts 28 

"         "     clasps  wanting 9-37 

Bayonet  scabbards 38 

Cap  boxes 24 

Cartridges,  (Enfield) 950 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  ADGER, 

Quartermaster  Eutaw  regiment  and  acting  ordnance  officer. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  J.  McENERY.  ^ 


Secessionville,  June  20th,  1862. 

To  Captain  Mallory  P.  King, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Captain  : — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
part  taken  in  the  battle  of  the  16th  of  June,  near  Secessionville,  by 
my  battalion. 

A  little  after  dawn,  on  the  morning  of  the  IGth  inst.,  Colonel  Ha- 
good,  commanding  1st  regiment  S  C.  V.,  came  in  person  to  my  quar- 
ters, about  two  miles  and  a  half  distant  from  this  place,  and  ordered 
me  to  have  my  battalion  under  arms  and  march  immediately  to  the 
Secessionville  battery,  at  which  place  an  engagement  with  the  enemy 
was  being  had.  With  promptness,  the  battalion  was  formed,  and  the 
march,  at  double  quick,  was  begun  in  the  direction  of  Secessionville. 
When  arrived  at  the  first  cross  roads,  some  little  delay  ensued,  arising 
from  my  ignorance  of  the  road  leading  to  Secessionville.  After  the 
lapse  of  a  few  moments,  I  was  assured  as  to  the  right  road,  and  in- 
stantly the  battalion  was  moved  off  at  double  quick  for  the  scene  of 
action.  Arriving  at  Secessionville,  I  was  informed  tliat  the  enemy  in 
force  were  advancing  on  the  right  of  the  battery  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  marsh,  directly  up  the  marsh  to  the  bridge.  I  hastened  my 
command,  at  a  run,  through  an  open  ground  to  the  woods  on  the 
marsh.  In  crossing  this  open  marsh,  and  while  placing  the  battalion 
in  position  in  the  outer  edge  of  the  woods,  it  was  exposed  to  a  terrific 
fire  from  the  enemy's  gunboats,  siege  battery,  field  batteries  and  small 
arms.  I  then  ordered  the  men  to  advance  in  the  skirt  of  woods,  the 
better  to  view  the  enemy,  and  afford  it  protection  from  the  incessant 
fire  of  the  enemy.  At  this  point,  for  half  an  hour  the  fire  on  both 
sides  was  indeed  terrific.  Finally,  the  enemy,  waned,  fell  back,  and 
there  begun  his  precipitate  retreat  on  the  right  in  front.  The  gallant 
Lamar  being  struck  down,  and  being  the  senior  officer  present^  I 
caused  an  incessant  volley  of  grape  and  canister  to  be  poured  into 
the  broken  and  retreating  columns  of  the  enemy,  until  they  passed 
beyond  view.  Colonel  Goodlctt,  my  senior  officer,  arriving  about  12 
M.,  assumed  command. 

I  cannot  speak  in  terms  of  too  high  praise  of  the  coolness,  bravery 
and  gallantry  of  the  officers  and  men  of  ray  little  command.  I  went 
into  ihe  action  with  two  hundred"  and  fifty  men,  and  succeeded  in 


461 

putting  to  rout  twice  that  force  of  the  enemy  on  the  right.  I  think 
that  the  force  of  the  enemy  wouhl  undoubtedly  have  completely 
flanked  the  battery  but  for  our  timely  arrival. 

The  small  band  of  brave  men  in  the  fort,  exhausted  and  broken 
down  in  their  almost  superhuman  exertions  in  repelling  the  foe  in 
front,  must  have  been  unequal  to  the  task  of  successfully  engaging 
the  enemy  in  front  and  on  the  right. 

It  is  impossible  to  arrive  at  a  correct  list  of  the  slain  and  wounded 
of  the  enemy,  as  in  his  retreat  he  bore  off  the  field  many  of  his  dead 
and  wounded.  One  hundred  and  sixty-eight  of  the  enemy  were 
buried  on  the  field.  My  battalion  brought  from  the  battle  field  in  front 
the  following  arms  and  accoutrements,  which  have  been  delivered  to 
the  ordnance  office,  viz.  : 

Enfield  rifles  (in  good  condition, 27 

''         "       (damaged) 4 

Rifled  muskets  (in  good  condition) 83 

Springfield  muskets  (in  good  condition) 62 

<<              "■           (damaged) 6 

Total ^  ....  182 

Cartridge    boxes ''8 

Saddles 2 

These  are  arms  and  accoutrements  we  gathered  on  that  part  oF  tho 
field  in  front.  Troops  belonging  to  other  commands,  I  understand, 
picked  up  a  great  many  arms  and  accoutrements  on  the  riii'ht  across 
the  marsh.  I  suppose  the  above  arms  are  about  one-third  of  the 
number  captured. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  casualties  in  my  battalion,  to-wit : 

Company  A. — None  killed.  "Wounded,  R.  Vaughan  and  J.  AVil- 
liams. 

Company  B. — Killed,  J.  B.  Williams  and  Jno.  Gleason.  Wounded, 
Sergeant  13.  Thomas,  privates  J.  McClendon,  S.  W.  Robinson,  W.  J. 
Blythe,  A.  N,  Packer  and  J.  B.  Iloneycutt. 

Company  C  — Killed,  J.  W.  Ragan.  Wounded,  R.  Porter,  F. 
Carroll  and  J.  D.  Montgomery. 

Company  D.— Killed,  II.  L.  Berry.  Wounded,  R.  W.  Childers, 
W.  Scarborough,  J.  W.  Upshaw  and  J.  L.  Smith. 

Company  E — Killed,  B.  C.  Campbell,  J.  Lenier.  Wounded,  1st 
Sergeant  Perryman,  2d  Sergeant  Carpenter,  Privates  F.  Poyler,  J. 
Muckcy,  Jno.  Stockman  and  F.  Guice. 

Company  F. — Wounded  (dangerously).  Captain  Walker. 

Total  killed 6 

"      wounded 22 

Total  casualties 28 


462 

This  report  ^vould  have  been  made  earlier,  but  now  is  the  first  op- 
portunity since  the  battle  that  I  have  had  to  write  it, 

I  am,  Captain, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  McENERY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel, 
Commanding  4th  Louisiana  battalion. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  S.  D.  GOODLETT. 


Headquarters  22d  Regiment  S.   C.  V.,  ^ 

Camp  on  James  Island,  S.  C,  > 

June  18,   1862.      ) 

General  Evans, 

James  Island,  S.  C.  : 

General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  folloAving  report  of  the 
cnsualties  in  my  command,  originating  from  the  fight  on  the  16th 
instant : 

In  obedience  to  an  order  from  headquarters,  I  detailed  one  hundred 
picket  men,  ten  from  each  company,  to  go  as  a  fatigue  party  a,hout 
one  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  16th  instant,  to  Sccessionville.  I  placed 
Captain  Joshua  Jamison  in  command  of  the  detail,  and  Lieutenants 
L.  S.  Hill,  II.  H.  Sally,  and  J.  B.  Cobb,  were  detailed  as  Lieutenants; 
this  completing  a  command  as  one  company. 

This  detail  arrived  at  Sccessionville  in  time  to  meet  the  first  onset 
of  the  enemy.  Captain  Jamison  and  Lieutenants  Ttill,  Sally  and 
Cobb  aoted  with  great  coolness,  courage  and  determination,  and  sus- 
tained and  supported  Captain  Reid's  battery  to  the  last.  The  ranks 
of  this  detail,  as  will  be  seen  by  exhibit  "  A,"  accompanying  this, 
were  decimated.     Killed  ten,  wounded  seven. 

The  balance  of  my  command  were  ordered  to  support  the  battery  to 
the  right  of  Sccessionville,  when  a  galling  fire  was  opened  upon  us 
from  the  enemy's  artillery,  without  damage. 

We  were  then  ordered  to  the  support  of  Sccessionville,  and  arrived 
there  at  the  close  of  the  en<]!;ac;ement. 

I  am  happy  to  state  that  my  command  throughout  acted  Avith  cool- 
ness and  determination;  and  that  too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed 
upon  Captain  Jamison  and  the  lieutenants  and  detail  before  alluded 
to,  for  the  manner  in  which  they  demeaned  themsclved  in  the  fight. 

I  would  state  one  fact  before  bringing  this  report  to   a  close,  that 
according  to  the  number  actively  engaged,  that  the  detail  of  one  hun- 
dred men  made  from  my  command,  under  Captain  Jamison,  suffered 
more,  in  proportion,  than  any  of  the  forces  on  our  side. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  D.  GOODLETT, 
Colonel^  commanding  22d  regiment  S.  C.  V, 


LETTER  OF   BRIGADIER  GENERAL   ISAAC    I.    STEVENS, 
COMMANDING  FEDERAL  FORCES. 


Headquarters  2d  Division,  N.  D,  D.  S.,  > 
James  Island,  S.  C,  A'we  18,  18G2.      ) 

To  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Confederate  Forces  on  James  Island, 
S.  C.  : 

Sir  :  In  the  action  of  the  16th  it  is  known  that  some  of  our  dead, 
and,  it  is  probable,,  that  a  few  of  our  wounded,  were  left  at,  or  in  rear 
of,  your  works.  In  compliance  with  the  urgent  wishes  of  friends, 
and,  in  accordance  with  my  own  convictions  of  propriety  and  of  duty, 
I  have  determined  to  send  a  flag  of  truce,  to  ascertain  the  names  of 
the  killed  and  of  the  wounded,  and,  if  practicable,  to  recover  the 
bodies  of  the  dead. 

It  will  be  ever  my  determination  to  conform,  in  the  most  ample 
manner,  to  the  usages  of  civilized  and  Christian  warfare,  and  I  have 
seen  to  it,  that  all  of  your  men,  who  are  now  prisoners  in  our  hands, 
have  been  treated  with  courtesy  and  respect.  I  am  glad  to  learn  that, 
on  your  part,  the  same  course  has  been  taken  towards  the  prisoners 
recently  taken  by  you. 

The  bearers  of  the  flag  of  truce  I  now  send  to  you,  are  my  Division 
Surgeon,  Dr.  George  S.  Kemble,  and  my  Aid-de-Camp,  Captain  Wm. 
T.  Lusk,  and  I  trust  you  will  find  it  consistent  with  y®ur  duty  to  ex- 
tend to  them  every  proper  facility  to  procure  information  in  regard 
to  cheir  missing  comrades ;  and,  if  possible,  to  recover  the  remains  of 
the  dead. 

We  shall  be  glad  to  send  money  and  clothing  to  our  prisoners  in 
your  hands,  and,  in  return,  will  see  that  articles  of  necessity  and 
comforts,  which  their  friends  desire  to  send,  safely  reach  your  men, 
prisoners  with  us. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ISAAC  I.  STEVENS, 
Brigadier  General,  commanding. 


REPLY  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  N.  G.  EVANS. 


Headquarters  James  Island, 

June  18,  1862. 

Brigadier  General  Stevens, 

Commanding  Federal  Forces,  ^c.  ; 

General  :  Your  communication,  through  a  flag  of  truce,  borne  by  Dr. 
Geo.  S.  Kembleand  Capt,  Wm.  T.  Lusk,  has  just  been  received,  and  in 
reply  thereto,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  information  desired  as 
to  the  names  and  condition  of  your  Avoundcd,  in  the  engagement  of  the 
16th  instant,  will  be  cheerfully  furnished  you  at  an  early  hour.  The 
wounded  having  been  sent  to  the  city  of  Charleston,  it  is  necessary  to 
communicate  with  that  place  first. 

I  have  also  to  state  that  your  dead,  as  far  as  found,  have  been  de- 
cently interred. 

It  has  ever  been   the  custom  of   our  armies  to   conform   to  the 
*'  usages  of  civilized  and  Christian  warfare,"  and  our  wounded   and 
prisoners  have  been,  and  are  being,  well  cared  for  in  all  respects. 
I  send  this  by  my  Aid-de-Camp,  Captain  W.  H.  Rodgers. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  G.  EVANS, 
Brigadier  General,  commanding  Confederate  Forces. 
30 


LIST  OF  KILLED,  WOUNDED  AND  MISSING  IN  THE  DIF- 
FERENT COriPS  ENGAGED  IN  THE  FIGHT  OF  THE  16th 
DAY  OF  JUNE,  1862,  AT  SECESSION VILLE,  SOUTH  CAR- 
OLINA,  JAMES  ISLAND. 


Lamar^s  Regiment  of  Artillery,  S.  C. 
Wounded,  Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar. 

Company  B. — Killed,  Capt.  S.  J.  Reed,  2d  serg't  James  M.  Baggott, 
privates  Elbert  Bates,  R.  R.  Bates,  H.  II.  Lyches,  W.  J.  Nix,  W. 
Redmond,  D.  J.  Reiley  and  G.  W.  Watson. 

Mortally  wounded,  (since  dead),  privates  Chesley  Bates  and  Jeff. 
C.  Eaves. 

Severely  vrounded,  sergeant  R.  F.  Nevills,  privates  W.  W.  Bellin- 
ger, W.  Flcmming,  Roddick  Pitts,  W.  J.  Chitty,  F.  M.  King,  L.  L. 
Cox,  II.  H.  Nevills,  S.  H.  Nevills,  H.  L.  Baggott,  Thomas  Ursery, 
W.  D.  Elkins,  J.  W.  Gillam,  S.  G.  Mitchell,  B.  H.  Dyches,  J.  W. 
Philips,  D.  P.  Hutson,  W.  J,  Martin,  J.  B.  Corbit,  J.  R.  Mairs  and 
W.  Whaley. 

Slightly  wounded,  corporal  N.  A.  K.  Walker,  privates  A.  0.  Hou- 
ser,  J.  J.  Walker,  D.  Holder,  W.  R.  Delk  and  J.  Templeton. 

Missing,  private  W.  P.  Hair,  previously  wounded. 

Company  I.— Killed,  privates  W.  H.  Arnaker,  J.  A.  R.  Shuter, 
H.  A.  Hoover,  Daniel  Kelly,  J.  W.  Gibson  and  J.  Jones. 

Wounded  severely,  sergeant  George  Bolivar,  private  J.  C.  Evans. 

Wounded  slightly,  sergeants  J.  Marchant,  S.  C.  L.  Miller,  privates 
•  J.  C.  Stephenson,  N.  A.  Whetitone,  G.  J.  Bennett,  G.  J.  Parlor,  J. 
Hobinson  and  J.  W.  Golson. 

•     • 

RECAPITULATION'  : 

Killed , 15 

Since  dead 2 

Wounded 38 

Missing , 1 

Total 56 


467 

2 2d  Regiment  S.  C.  Volunteers. 
Company  A. — Killed,  privates  R.  A.  Cowan  and  Benjamin  Harris. 

Company  B. — Wounded,  private  John  Wheeler. 

Company  C. — Wounded,  private  Edward  Sigemore. 

Company  D. — Killed,  privates  William   Roach   and  Henry  Pres- 
sure. 

Company  E. — Killed,  private  J.  J.  Spivay. 

Wounded,  privates  W.  F.  Council  and  Francis  Connell. 

.  Company  F. — Wounded,  private  William  Gilstrap. 

Company  G. — Killed,  privates   Thomas  A.   Stribling  and  Henry 
Orr. 

Company  II. — Wounded,  private  Thomas  Bowers. 

Company  I. — Killed,  privates  Liona  Justus  and  Duman  Wooley. 
Wounded,  private  P.  Tar. 

Company  K. — Killed,  private  Alfred  Cawer. 
Wounded,  private  E.  P.  Campbell. 

•r 

recapitulation: 

Killed la 

Wounded 8 

Total 19 


Smith's  Battalion  S.  C.  Volunteers. 

Company  A. — Seriously  wounded,  privates  Henry  Cooper  and  Alex- 
ander Brown. 

Slightly   wounded.   Lieutenant   W.  T.   Jarvis  and  sergeant  W.  T. 
Smith. 

Missing,  privates  William  Russ   and  F.    M.  Jordan,   captured  on* 
picket. 

Company  B. — Killed,  private  Duncan  Deas. 
Seriously  wounded,  (since  dead),  sergeant  W.  L.  McFarland. 
Seriously  wounded,  private  Jesse  Pierce. 

Slightly  wounded,  private  R.   D.  Moore,  John  R.  Threat  and  Isaac 
Hurst. 


f 

463 

Company  C. — Seriously  wounded,  privates  William  Cole  and  TTios,. 
D/iggers. 

Slightly  wounded,  corporal  John  Roller  and  private  Leonard  Orx- 
endien. 

Company  D. — Killed,  private  J.  T.  Alford  and  J.  H.  Lay. 

Sariously  wounded,  1st  Lieutenant  J.  G.  Beaty.  ^      ' 

Slightly  wounded,  privates  S.  Jones  and  M.  Stalrey. 

Company  F. — Seriously  wounded,  private  C.  C.  Anderson. 
Slightly  wounded,   corporal  E.   F.   Sandsbury  and  privates  W.  D^ 
Collins  and  J.  E.  P.  Hickson.  , 

Company  G. — Seriously  wounded,  privates  L.  Stricken  and  Wm, 
iilliott. 

Slightly  wounded,  1st  sergeant  J.  II.  Williamson  and  private  J.  W, 
Tripp. 

UECAPITULVTION  : 

Killed 3 

Since  dead 1 

Wounded 22 

Missing 3 

Total, ■ 29 

« 

Charleston  Battalion — Field  and  Staff. 

Wounded  slightly,  Lieutenant  Colonel, P.  C.  Gaillard. 
Wounded  severely.  Captain  R.  Press  Smith,  A.  Q.  M. 

Company  A. — Wounded  slightly,  Captain  Julien  A.  Blake  and  Lieu- 
tenant F.  Lynch. 

Com.pany  B. — Killed,  private  J.  B.  W.  Ilammett. 
Wounded  mortally,  private  P.  Gilhooly. 

Wounded  slightly,  privates  M.  Lacy,  J.  P.  Johnson  and  W.  H. 
Sutchliffe. 

Missing,  private  J,  R.  Gibbs. 

Company  C. — Killed,  private  Dan  Howard. 
Wounded  severely,  private  John  May. 

Wounded  slightly.  Lieutenant  John  Burke  and  private  J.  P.  Mur- 
phy. 

Company  D. — Killed,  Captain  H.  C.  King,  Lieutenant  J.  J.  Ed- 
wards, corporal  J.  Volentine,  privates  G.  Poynauski  and  J.  F.  Ed- 
garton. 


469 

Wounded,  sergeant  J.  J.  Wells,  privates  R.  C.  Evans,  A.  Roumil- 
lat,  E.  L.  Terry,  W.  W.  Johns  :n,  H.  Neofuille,  11.  Volentiue,  E.  S. 
Tennent,  G.  W.  Dingle  and  T.  P.  Lockwood. 

Company  E — Killed,  private  Thomas  Parker. 

Wounded,  Captain  F.  T.  Miles,  Lieutenant  J.  W.  Axson,  sergeant 
S.  C.  Black,  privates  C.  P.  Brown,  C.  B.  Buist,  Isaac  Holmes,  H.  E. 
'Choate  and  J.  E.. Smith. 

Company  F. — Killed,  eergcant  R.  J,  Ilenery  and  private  James 
Davis. 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  George  Brown  and  private  William  Com- 
anins. 

RECAPITULATIOX   : 

Killed 10 

Wounded cJO 

Missing 2 

Total, , 42 


Eitiaw  Battalion. 

Company  B. — Killed,  2d  Lieutenant  R.  W.  Greer,  sergeant  Fleet- 
wood Launeau,  jr.,  privates  Sainuel  Salters  and  Thomas  N.  Gadsden, 
junior. 

Wounded  mortally,  privates  J.  H.  Tavener  and  J.  C.  Martin. 

Wounded  severely,  2d  Lieutenant  S.  J.  Burger,  privates  J.  11.  De- 
Taux,  A.   B.  Glover  and  T,  G.  Simons. 

Wounded  slightly,  privates  A.  S.  Trumbo,  Robert  G.  McCutcheu, 
J.  n.  Shultc  and  J. 'P.  Gibbs. 

Lieutenant  Mafhtws'  Rijles. 

Wounded  slightly^  privates  E.  V.  Shuler,  G.  M.  DAutzlcr  and  J.  W. 
Wannamaker. 

Zeadon  Light  Infantry. 
Wounded  slightly,  sergeant  R.  A.  Wharton. 

RECAPITLLATION   :  ' 

Killed -i 

Wounded It 

Total, IS 


470 

2ifh  Regiment  S.  C.  Volunteers. 

Company  D. — Killed,  none. 
Wounded,  sergeant  D.  W.  Bowers. 

Company  G. — Killed,  private  M.  Dawkins  and  John  Mowella^ 
Wounded,  private  Joel  Hunt. 

Company  I. — Wounded  and  missing,  private  Jolin  Duncan. 

Company  K. — Killed,  private  J:  E.  Bussy. 

Wounded,  Lieutenant  F.   W.  Anderson,   sergeant  G.  W.  Benton, 
privates  James  Hern,  K.  P.  Gomain  and  Pickens  New. 
Missing,  private  John  Duncan. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Killed a 


Wounded, 
Missing  . 


Total, 12' 


41th  Regiment  Georgia  Volunteers. 
Company  B. — Killed,  Lieutenant  B.  A.  Graham. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Killed I 

Total, 1 


1st  Regiment  S.   C.  Volunteers. 
Company  H. — Wounded,  private  John  A.  Nichole. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Wounded .   T 

Total 1 


Ath  Louisiana  Battalion. 
Company  A. — ^AVounded,  privates  R.   S.   Vaughan  and:  James  Wil- 
liams. 


471 

Company  B. — Killed,  privates  J.  B.  Williams  and  JohnGleason. 
Wounded,  sergeant  B.  Thomas,privates  Jeff.  McClendon,  S.  W.  Ro- 
binson, W.  J.  Blythe,  A.  N.  Packer  and  J.  B.  Honeycutt. 

Company  C. — Killed,  private  J.  W.  Ragan. 

Wounded,  privates  P.  Porter,  F.  Carrol  and  J.  D.  Montgomery. 

Company  D. — Wounded,  private  H.   L,   Berry,  R.  W.  Childcrs,  T. 
Mehan,  W.  Scarborough,  J.  W.  Upshan  and  J.  L.  Smith. 

Company  E. — Killed,  privates  B.  P.  Campbell  and  Joseph  Lanier. 
Wounded,  sergeants  W.  J.  Perryman  and  A.  I>.  Carpenter,  privates 
F.  Taylor,  J.  Mulkey,  John  Stopman  and  J.  Gryce. 

Company  F. — Wounded,  Captain  James  H.  Walker. 

RECAPITULATION  : 

Killed 5 

Wounded 24 

Total, 29 


TOTAL    CASUALTIES. 

Killed 51 

Wounded 144 

Missing 9 

Since  dead 3 

Total, 207 


NAMES  OF  INDIVIDUALS  REPORTED  BY  COMMANDERS* 
AS  DISTINGUISHED  FOR  GALLANT  CONDUCT  IN  THE 
AFFAIR  AT  JAMES  ISLAND. 


In  the  report  of  Brigadier  General  N.  G.  Evans  : 

Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar,  Lamar's  regiment  S.  C,  artillery,  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Gaillard,  Charleston  battalion  S.  C.  V.,  (men- 
tioned particularly  in  report  of  Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar),  gallant 
conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  D.  Smith,  Smith's  battalion  S.  C.  V.,  (men- 
tioned particularly  in  report  of  Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar),  gallant 
conduct. 

Captain  Samuel  J.  Reed,  company  B,  Lamar's  regiment  artillery, 
fell  gallantly  fighting  one  of  his  guns,  again  mentioned  in  report  of 
Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar. 

Personal  staff: 

1st  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Rogers,  special  aid-de-camp,  rendered  valua- 
"  ble  service  in  transmitting  orders  under  fire. 

Captains  R.  E.  Elliott,  Samuel  J.  Corrie  and  H,  W.  Carr,  volunteer 
aids-de-camp,  rendered  valuable  service  in  transmitting  orders  under 
fire. 

Assistant  Surgeon  James  Evans,  rendered  material  aid  to  the 
wounded. 

In  the  report  of  Colonel  T.  G.  Lamar  : 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  D,  Smith,  Smith's  battalion  S.  C.  V.,  gallant 
and  meritorious  conduct,  (mentioned  in  report  of  Brigadier  General 
N.  G.  Evans). 

Lieutenant  Colonel  C.  P.  Gaillard,  Charlesten  battalion,  gallant 
conduct,  mentioned  in  report  of  Brig.  Gen.  N.  G.  Evans,  stationed  in 
the  center  and  on  the  right  of  the  battery,  at  Secessionville,  and  sub- 
sequently in  command  of  the  battery. 

Major  David  Ramsey,  Charleston  battalion,  'meritorious  conduct  on 
the  right  of  the  battery  at  Secessionville.  Major  Hudson,  Smith's 
battalion,  meritorious  conduct,  on  the  left  of  the  battery  at  Secession- 
ville. 

Captain  Samuel  J.  Reed,  company  B,  Lamar's  regiment  artillery, 


473 

fell  fighting  at  one  of  his  guns  on  the  battery  at  Secessionvillc,.  (men- 
tioned in  Brigadier  General  Evans'  report). 

Captain  F,  T,  Miles,  Calhoun  Guard,  Charleston  battalion,  gallant 
conduct,  stationed  on  battery  at  Secessionvillc. 

Captain«G.  D.  Keitt,  Lamar's  regiment  artillery,  great  bravery.  . 

Lieutenants  Barton,  Oliver  and  Mosoly,  same  regiment,  great 
bravery. 

Senior  1st  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Humbert,  company  I,  Lamar's  regiment 
artillery,  specially  mentioned  for  great  bravery  and  valuable  service, 
stationed  in  battery  at  Secessionvillc,  8  inch  columbiad. 

Lieutenants  Lancaster  and  Johnson,  company  B,  Lamar's  regiment, 
and  Lieutenant  Bellinger,  of  same  company,  gallant  conduct,  in  bat- 
tery at  Secessionvillc. 

Lieutenant  W.  H.  Retchings,  company  H,  Lamar's  regiment,  gal- 
lant conduct.  Reed's  battery,  Clarke's  house. 

Adjutant  E.  J.  Frederick,  Lamar's  regiment,  gallant  conduct,  bat- 
tery at  Secessionvillc,  and  Reed's  battery  at  Clarke's  house. 

Captain  W.  W.  McCreery,  ordnance  department  C.  S.  A.,  rendered 
valuable  service  at  the  eight-inch  columbiad  in  the  battery  at  Seces- 
sionvillc. 

Captain  Bonneau,  Lieutenants  Mathews  and  Hall,  C.  S.  N.,  ren- 
dered valuable  service  at  the  eight-inch  columbiad  in  the  battery  at 
Secessionvillc. 

In  the  report  of  Colonel  S.  D.  Goodlett,  22d  regiment  S.  C.  V. : 

Captain  Joshua  Jamison,  Lieutenants  L.  S.  Hill,  H.  H.  Lally  and 
J.  B.  Cobb,  valuable  service  and  gallant  conduct  in  sustaining  the  bat- 
tery at  Clarke's  house. 

In  the  report  of  Colonel  Stephens,  24th  regiment  S.  C.  V,  : 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Capers,  24th  regiment  S.  C.  V.,  gallant  con- 
duct in  defending  advanced  battery  of  24-pound  guns. 

Captain  Tompkins,  company  K,  and  Lieutenant  Beckham,  company 
G,  gallant  conduct  in  holding  advanced  position  until  ordered  to  -^rith- 
draw. 

In  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  W.  Smith,  Smith's  battalion 
S.  C.  V.  : 

Lieutenant  Campbell,  company  F,  gallant  conduct,  in  personally 
repulsing  an  assaulting  party  on  the  left  of  the  battery  at  Secession- 
ville. 

Captain  W.  H.  Ryan,  valuable  service  in  battery  at  Secessionville. 

Lieutenant  E.  Brown,  company  F,  and  Lieutenant  Alexander  A.  Al- 
lemory,  Irish  volunteers,  valuable  service,  in  carrying  ammunition 
through  fire  of  artillery  and  infantry.  ^ 

Sergeant  Hendricks,  valuable  service  in  carrying  ammunition  under 
heavy  fire,  in  battery  at  Secessionville. 

Private  Joseph  Tcnnent,  of  the  Calhoun  Guard,  gallant  conduct,  on 
the  left  of  the  battery  at  Secessionville. 

In  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Srraonton,  "  Eutaw  battalion  "  : 

Lieutenant  Blum,  Washington  Light  Infantry,  company  B,  gallant 
conduct,  advanced  position,  on  right  flank.  • 


474 

Privates  J.  Campbell  Martin  and  Grange  Simons,  Jr.,  gallant  con- 
duct, both  severely  wounded,  but  still  fought  until  exhausted  and  car- 
ried off,  mentioned  in  report  of  Lieutenant  Blum. 

In  the  report  of  Lieutenjint  Blum,  commanding  detachment  of  Eu- 
ta^w  battalion : 

Privates  J.  Campbell  Martin  and  Grange  Martin,  Jr.,  gallant  con- 
duct, (mentioned  in  report  of  Colonel  Simontou). 


HEPORT 


OF    THE 


EXPEDITION  INTO  KENTUCKY. 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  MORGAN  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Morgan's  Command, 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  July  3(Wi,  1862. 


\ 


To  R.  a.  Allston, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  upon  the  day  of  the 
engagement  at  Tompkinsvillc,  a  full  report  of  which  I  have  already 
sent  you,  I  moved  my  command,  consisting  of  my  own  regiment,  the 
Georgia  regiment  of  partizan  rangers,  commanded  hy  Colonel  A.  A. 
Hunt,  and  Major  Gano's  Texas  squadron,  to  which  was  attached  two 
companies  of  Tennessee  cavalry,  in  the  direction  of  Glasgow,  which 
place  I  reached  at  12  o'clock  that  night. 

There  were  but  few  troops  in  the  town,  who  fled  at  our  approach. 
The  commissary  stores,  clothing,  etc.,  together  with  a  large  supply  of 
medical  stores,  found  in  Glasgow,  were  burned,  and  the  guns  were  dis- 
tributed among  my  command,  about  two  hundred  of  which  were  un- 
armed when  I  left  Knoxville.  From  Glasgow,  I  proceeded  along  the 
main  Lexington  road,  to  Barren  river,  halting  for  a  short  time,  at  a 
point  near  Cave  city,  my  object  being  to  induce  the  belief  that  I  in- 


476 

tended  destroying  the  railroad  bridge  between  Bowling  Green  and 
Woodsonville.  I  caused  wires  connecting  with  the  portable  battery 
that  I  carried  with  me,  to  be  attached  to  the  telegraph  line  near  Horse 
cave,  and  intercepted  a  number  of  dispatches.  At  Barren  river,  I 
detached  three  companies  under  Capt.  Jack  Allen,  to  move  forward 
rapidly  and  destroy  the  Salt  river  bridge,  that  the  troops  along  the 
line  of  railroad,  might  be  prevented  from  returning  to  Louisville,  On 
the  following  morning,  I  moved  on  towards  Lebanon — distant  thirty- 
five  miles  from  Barren  river.  At  1 1  o'clock  at  night,  I  reached  the 
bridge  over  Boiling  fork,  six  miles  from  Lebanon.  The  enemy  had 
received  information  of  my  approach  from  their  spies,  and  my  advance 
guard  was  fired  upon  at  the  bridge.  After  a  short  fight  the  force  at 
the  bridge  was  dispersed,  and  the  planks  which  had  been  torn  up, 
having  been  replaced,  the  command  moved  forward  to  Lebanon. 

About  two  miles  from  the  town,  a  skirmish  commenced  between  two 
companies  I  caused  to  dismount  and  deploy,  and  a  force  of  the  enemy 
posted  upon  the  road,  which  was  soon  ended  by  its  dispersion  and  cap- 
ture. Lt.  Col.  A.  Y.  Johnson,  commanding  the  troops  in  the  town, 
surrendered,  and  I  entered  the  place.  The  prisoners  taken,  in  num- 
ber about  sixty-five,  were  paroled.  I  took  immediate  possession  of 
the  telegraph,  and  intercepted  a  dispatch  to  Col.  Johnson,  informing 
him  that  Col.  Owens,  with  the  6()th  Indiana  regiment  had  been  order- 
ed to  his  assistance.  So  I  at  once  despatched  a  company  of  Texas 
rangers  under  Major  Gano,  to  destroy  the  railroad  bridge  on  the 
Lebanon  branch,  which  he  successfully  accomplished  in  time  to  pre- 
vent the  arrival  of  the  troops.  I  burned  two  long  buildings  full  of 
commissary  stores,  consisting  of  upwards  of  five  hundred  sacks  of 
'coifee  and  a  large  amount  of  all  other  supplies  in  bulk,  marked  for  the 
army  at  Cumberland  Gap.  I  also  destroyed  a  very  large  amount  of 
clothing,  boots,  etc.  I  burned  the  hospital  buildings,  which  appeared 
to  have  been  recently  erected  and  fitted  up,  together  with  about  thirty- 
five  wagons  and  fifty-three  new  ambulances.  I  found  in  the  place  a 
large  store  of  medicines,  five  thousand  stand  of  arms,  with  accoutre- 
ments, about  two  thousand  sabres  and  an  immense  quantity  of  ammu- 
nition, shells,  etc.  I  distributed  the  best  arms  among  my  command, 
and  loaded  one  wagon  with  them,  to  be  given  to  recruits  that  I  expect- 
ed to  join  me.  I  also  loaded  a  wa^on  with  ammunition.  The  remain- 
der  of  tlie  arms,  ammunition,  and  the  hospital  and  medical  stores,  I 
destroyed.  While  in  Lebanon,  I  ascertained  from  telegraphic  dispatches 
that  I  intercepted,  that  the  force  which  had  been  started  from  Lebanon 
junction,  to  reinforce  Lt.  Col.  Johnson,  had  met  and  driven  back  the 
force  under  Capt.  Jack  Allen,  killing  one  of  the  men  and  preventing 
him  from  accomplishing  the  purpose  for  which  he  had  been  detached. 
I  proceeded  "from  Lebanon  on  the  following  day,  through  Springfield 
to  Macksville,  at  which  point  I  was  attacked  by  Home  Guards.  Two 
of  my  men  were  taken  prisoners  and  one  severely  wounded.  I  re- 
mained at  Macksville  that  night  to  recover  the  prisoners,  which  I  did 
the  next  morning.  I  then  left  for  Ilarrodsburg,  capturing  a  Federal 
Captain  and  Lieutenant  on  the  road.  Reached  Harrodsburg  at  12  1-2 
o'clock — found  that  the  Home  Guard  of  all   that  portion    of  country 


477 

had  fled  to  Lexington.  A  force  was  also  stationed  on  the  bridge 
where  the  Lexington  road  crosses  the  Kentucky  river.  My  reception 
at  this  ph:ce  was  very  encouraging  ;  the  whole  population  appeared  to 
turn  out  and  vie  with  er^ch  other  as  to  who  should  show  us  most  atten- 
tion. I  left  Ilarrodsburg  at  6  o'clock  the  same  evening,  and  moved  to 
Lawrenceburg,  twenty  miles  distant,  threatening  Fi'tinkfort,  in  order 
to  draw  oiT  the  troops  from  Georgetown.  I  remained  there  until  the 
return  of  the  courier  from  Frankfort,  who  brought  the  information 
that  there  was  a  force  in  Frankfort  of  two  or  three  thousand  men, 
consisting  of  Home  Guards,  collected  from  the  adjacent  counties,  and 
a  few  regular  troops.  From  Lawrenceburg  I  proceeded  to  Shrykes' 
ferry,  on  the  Kentucky  river,  raised  the  boat  which  had  been  sunken, 
and  crossed  that  evening,  reaching  Versailles  at  7  o'clock.  I  found 
this  place  abandoned  by  its  defenders  who  had  fled  to  Lexington.  Re- 
mained there  that  night  and  on  the  next  morning  marched  towards 
Georgetown. 

While  at  Yarsailles,  I  took  about  three  hundsed  Government;  horses 
and  mules.  I  passed  through  Midway  on  the  way  to  Georgetown,  and 
was  informed,  just  before  reaching  the  place,  that  a  train  from  Frank- 
fort was  nearly  due,  with  two  regiments  of  Federals.  I  tore  up  the 
track,  and  posted  the  howitzers  to  command  it,  and  formed  my  com- 
mand along  the  line  of  the  road,  but  the  train  was  warned  of  our 
presence,  and  returned  to  Frankfort.  Having  taken  possession  of 
the  telegraph  oflfice,  I  intercepted  a  dispatch,  asking  if  the  road  was 
clear,  and  if  it  would  be  safe  to  start  tjie  train  from  Lexington.  I 
replied,  to  send  the  train,  and  made  preparations  to  receive  it,  but  it 
was  also  turned  back  and  escaped.  I  reached  Georgetown,  12  miles 
from  Lexington  that  evening.  Just  before  entering  the  town,  I  was 
informed  that  a  small  force  of  home  guards  had  mustered  to  oppose  us. 
I  sent  them  word  to  surrender  their  arms,  and  they  should  not  be 
molested,  but  they  fled.  The  people  of  Georgetown  also  welcomed  us 
with  gladness,  and  provided  my  troops  with  every  thing  they  needed. 
I  remained  at  Georgetown  two  days,  during  which  time  I  sent  out  a 
company,  under  Captain  McMillan,  to  destroy  the  track  between  Midway 
and  Lexington,  and  Midway  and  Frankfort,  and  to  blow  up  the  stone 
bridge  on  that  road,  which  he  successfully  accomplished.  Hearing 
that  a  company  of  home  guard  were  encamped  at  Stamping  grounds, 
thirteen  miles  distant,  I  dispatched  a  company,  under  Captain  Hamil- 
ton, to  break  up  their  encampment,  burn  the  tents  and  gtorcs,  and 
destroy  the  guns.  This  was  also  accomplished.  Captain  Hamilton 
taking  fifteen  prisoners  and  all  their  guns,  and  destroying  a  large 
amount  of  medical  and  commissary  stores.  I  also,  while  at  George- 
town, sent  Captain  Castleman,  with  his  company,  to  destroy  the  rail- 
road bridges  between  Paris  and  Lexington,  and  report  to  me  at  Win- 
chester.     This  was  done. 

Determining  to  move  on  Paris,  with  a  view  of  returning,  and  hear- 
ing that  the  place  was  being  rapidly  reinforced  from  Cincinnati,  I 
deemed  it  of  great  importance  to  cut  off  the  communication  from  that 
place,  while  I  drew  off  the  troops  that  >Yerc  already  there  by  a  feint 
oa  Lexington.      I  thorcforc   dispatched  a  portion  of  two  companies 


478 

towards  Lexington,  with  instructions  to  drive  the  pickets  to  the  very 
entrance  of  the  city,  -while  I  moved  the  command  towards  Cynthianna. 
When  I  arrived  within  three  miles  of  this  place,  I  learned  that  it  was 
defended  by  a  considerable  force  of  infanti-y,  cavalry  and  artillery.  I 
dispatched  the  Texas  squadron,  under  Major  Gano,  to  enter  the  town 
on  the  right,  the.  Georgia  regiment  to  cross  the  river  and  get  in  the 
rear,  while  I  moved  my  own  regiment,  with  the  artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  J.  E.  Harris,  down  the  Georgetown  pike.  A 
severe  engagement  took  place,  which  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a  half 
before  the  enemy  were  driven  into  ihe  town  and  compelled  to  surrender. 
I  took  four  hundred  and  twenty  prisoners,  including  about  seventy 
home  guard.  I  regret  to  have  to  mention  the  loss  of  eight  of  my  men  in 
killed,  and  twenty-nine  wounded.  The  enemy's  loss  was  194  in  killed 
and  wounded,  according  to  their  own  account.  Their  excess  in  killed 
and  wounded  is  remarkable,  as  they  fought  us  from  behind  stone 
fences,  and  fired  at  us  from  buildings  as  we  charged  through  the  town. 
"We  captured  a  very  fine  12-pounder  brass  piece  of  artillery,  together 
with  a  large  number  of  small  arms,  and  about  three  hundred  Govern- 
ment horses,  I  found  a  very  large  supply  of  commissary  and  medical 
stores,  tents,  guns, .and  ammunition  at  this  place,  which  I  destroyed. 
The  paroled  prisoners  were  sent  under  an  escort  to  Falmouth,  where 
they  took  the  train  for  Cincinnati.  I  proceeded  the  next  morning 
towards  Paris,  and  was  met  on  the  road  by  the  bearer  of  a  flag  of 
truce,  offering  the  unconditional  surrender  of  the  place.  I  reached 
Paris  at  6  o'clock,  remained  there  that  night,  and  started  towards 
Winchester  the  next  morning.  As  my  command  was  filing  out  of 
Paris  on  the  Winchester  pike,  I  discovered  a  large  force  of  Federals 
coming  towards  the  town  from  the  direction  of  Lexington.  They 
immediately  countermarched,  supposing  no  doubt,  that  my  intention 
was  to  get  in  their  rear.  This  enabled  me  to  bring  ofi"  my  entire  com- 
mand Vrithout  molestation,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  my  pickets, 
who  were  probably  surprised.  Reached  Winchester  that  day  at  12 
o'clock,  remained  until  4  o'clock,  when  I  proceeded  towards  Rich- 
mond. At  Winchester  I  found  a  number  of  arms,  which  were  des- 
troyed. I  arrived  at  Richmond  at  12  o'clock  that  night,  and  remained 
until  the  next  afternoon,  when  I  proceeded  to  Crab  Orchard.  I  had 
determined  to  make  a  stand  at  Richmond,  and  await  reinforcements,  as 
the  whole  people  appeared  ready  to  rise  and  join  me,  but  I  received 
information  that  large  bodies  of  cavalry  under  General  Clay  Smith 
and  Colonels  Woolford,  Metcalf,  Mundy,  and  Wynkop,  were  endea- 
voring to  surround  me  at  this  place,  so  I  moved  on  to  Crab  Orchard. 
There  I  attached  my  portable  battery  to  the  telegraph,  leading  from 
Stanford  to  Louisville,  and  learned  the  exact  position  of  the  enemy's 
forces,  and  directed  my  movements  accordingly.  Leaving  Crab 
Orchard  at  1 1  o'clock,  I  arrived  :)t  Somerset,  distant  28  miles  at  sun- 
down. I  took  possession  of  the  telegraph  and  countermanded  all  the 
previous  orders  that  had  been  given  by  General  Boyle  to  pursue  me, 
and  remained  here  in  perfect  security  all  night.  I  found  a  very  large 
S'^pP^y  Pf  commissary  stores,  clothing,  blankets,  shoes,  hats,  &c.,  at 
this  place,  which  were  destroyed,    I  also  found  the  arms  that  had  been 


479 

taken  from  General  Zollicoifer,  together  with  large  quantities  of  shell 
and  ammunition,  all  of  which  were  destroyed.  I  also  burned  at  this 
place  and  Crab  Orchard,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  Government 
wagons. 

From  Somerset,  I  proceeded  to  Monticello,  and  from  thence  to  a 
point  between  Lexington  and  Sparta,  where  my  command  is  now 
encamped,  I  left  Knoxville  on  the  4th  day  of  this  month,  with  about  nine 
hundred  men  and  returned  to  Lexington  on  the  28th  inst,,  with  nearly 
twelve  hundred,  having  been  absent  just  twenty-four  days,  during 
which  time  I  traveled  over  a  thousand  miles,  captured  seventeen  towns, 
destroyed  all  the  Government  supplies  and  arms  in  them,  dispersed 
about  fifteen  hundred  home  guard,  and  paroled  nearly  twelve  hundred 
regular  troops.  I  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  rhissing  of  the  number 
that  I  carried  into  Kentucky,  about  ninety,  I  take  great  pleasure  in 
testifying  to  the  gallant  bravery  and  efficiency  of  my  whole  command. 
There  Avere  individual  instances  of  daring  so  conspicuous  that  I  must 
beg  the  privilege  of  referring  to  them.  Private  Moore,  of  Louisiana, 
a  member  of  company  A,  of  my  regiment,  particularly  distinguished 
himself  by  leading  a  charge,  which  had  an  important  ciTect  in  winning 
the  battle.  The  report  of  the  regimental  commanders,  which  are 
enclosed,  are  respectively  referred  to  for  further  instances  of  individual 
bravery  and  efficiency.  I  feel  indebted  to  all  my  aids  for  the  prompt- 
ness with  which  my  orders  were  executed,  ana  particularly  to  Colonel 
St,  Leger  Grenfel,  for  the  assistance  which  his  experience  afforded  me. 
All  of  wbich  is  respectfully  submitted. 
(Signed,)  JOHN  n.  MORGAN, 

Acting  Brigadier  General,  C.  S.  A. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  B.  W.  DUKE. 


CrNTHiANA,  July  17th,  1862. 

Captain  R,  A.  Alston, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

Sir  :  During  the  engagement  to-day,  the  regiment  engaged  the  enemy 
on  the  Georgeto^Yn  pike,  and  after  a  desperate  fight  of  about  an  hour 
and  a  half,  succeeded  in  driving  them  into  the  town,  where  a  hot  street 
fight  occurred,  histing  until  near  dark.  We  took  the  12 -pound  brass 
piece  that  had  so  annoyed  us  during  the  early  part  of  the  action. 

Where  all  engaged,  acted  so  nobly,  'tis  difficult  to  particularize: 
but  it  is  generally  conceded  that  company  A  covered  itself  with  glory, 
which  is  acknowledged  by  the  regiment. 

r.  II.  THORPE,  Adjutant. 


Captain  R.  A.  Alston, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

In  the  action  referred  to  above,  my  regiment  was  deployed  upon  the 
Georgetown  pike,  coinpjinies  A  and  B  upon  the  right,  companies  E 
and  F  upon  the  left.  After  a  stubborn  fight,  the  enemy  were  driven 
from  all  the  positions  in  the  edge  of  the  town.  Company  B  was  then 
sent  to  the  extreme,  to  engage  a  force  which  threatened  our  right 
flank,  and  succeeded  in  dispersing  it.  Companies  E  and  F  charged  up 
to  the  bank  of  the  river,  under  a  severe  fire  of  musketry  and  grape, 
and  were  prevented  from  entering  the  town,  only  by  the  depth  of  the 
water  at  that  point.  Company  A  crossed  the  river  at  a  ford  near  the 
bridge,  charged  across  the  bridge,  and  after  a  very  severe  contest, 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  houses  near  the  bridge.  Company  C,  pre- 
viously held  in  reserve,  charged  through  the  town  on  horseback,  and 
forced  the  enemy  to  abandon  their  artillery  and  cleared  that  street. 
The  two  last  named  companies,  then  uniting  with  the  Georgians,  who 
had  dashed  in  upon  the  left,  forced  the  enemy  to  abandon  the  depot, 
and  subsequently  the  town. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  speak  in  terms  too  high  of  the  diff'erent 
officers  under  my  command ;  good  conduct  and  individual  gallantry, 
were  so  common,  that  it  almost  ceased  to  be  a  matter  of  remark. 


481 

Captains  Hutchingson  and  Webber  led  their  companies  in  perfect 
order  through  a  fire  that  was  unusually  severe.  Lieutenant,  J.  A. 
Smith  and  Bowyer,  of  company  A,  were  both  severely  wounded  in 
front  of  that  company  and  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy. 

Captain  Bowles  and  Lieutenant  Myers,  of  company  C,  behaved 
with  great  gallantry  ;  the  latter  was  struck  from  his  horse,  but  for- 
tunately the  wound  was  but  slight. 

Lieutenant  White,  commanding  company  B,  performed  the  duty  as- 
signed him,  and  kept  his  company  in  front  of  a  superior  force  for 
nearly  an  hour,  finally  dispersing  it. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  report  the  gallant  and  eflScient  conduct  of 
Captain  Thorpe,  Adjutant  of  my  regiment,  and  my  thanks  are  due 
him  for  the  manner  in  which  he  superintended  the  execution  of  every 
order.  I  cannot  too  highly  compliment  Colonel  St.  Leger  Grenfel, 
who  acted  with  ray  regiment,  for  the  execution  of  an  order,  which  did, 
perhaps,  more  than  anything  else  to  gain  the  battle.  His  example 
gave  new  courage  to  every  one  who  witnessed  it.  I  have  the  honor 
to  report  that  every  one  in  my  regiment  gave  satisfaction  to  myself 
and  their  respective  commanders. 

B.  W.  DUKE, 
Lieutenant  (loloml  commanding  regiment. 
31 


r.ErORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  F.  M.  NIX. 


Headquarters  Camp  Smith,      > 
Near -Kkoxville,  Tenn.,  July  30,  1862.  ) 

R.  A.  Alsto^v, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Morgan's  Brigade : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to   submit  the  following  report  of  the  action 

■of  the  1st  regiment  Georgia  partizan  rangers,  in  the  battle  of  Cyn- 
thiana,  on  Thursday,  17th  inst. 

On  Thursday,  the  17th  inst.,  when  the  brigade  had  arrived  within 

:a  few  miles  of  Cynthiana,  I  was  ordered  by  General  Morgan  to  detach 
my  regiment,  and  attack  the  town  on  the  Avest  side,  at  the  report  of  the 

•cannon.  Having  made  a  circuit  of  five  or  more  miles,  through  plan- 
tations and  over  many  obstructions  not  anticipated,  with  all   possible 

•dispatch,  I  arrived  in  the  suburbs  and  formed  a  line  a  few  minutes 
after  the  signal  of  attack  was  heard,  when  I  observed  a  body  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  advancing  towards  my  line,  which  were  promptly  re- 
pulsed by  a  volley  from  my  command.  Having  advanced  a  short  dis- 
tance, I  ordered  Captain  Jones  to  deploy  his  company  (A)  to  the  right 
of  the  pike,  in  order  to  co'ver  the  whole  of  the  rear  of  the  town,  and 
prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  in  case  of  their  defeat.  Before  the 
whole  of  company  A,  however,  could  be  deployed,  it  encountered  a 
body  of  cavalry*advancing  on  the  pike,  which  were  repulsed,  after  a 
sharp  contest.  Advancing  farther.  Captain  Jones  encountered  a  force 
of  artillery  with  one  brass  field  piece,  which  he  charged  and  repulsed, 
the  enemy  having  the  piece  behind  them,  still  advancing  and  com- 
pleting the  deployment  to  the  right  of  the  pike.  Company  A  captured 
sixty- eight  prisoners,  marched  them  to  a  corner  of  the  main  street, 
and  left  them  in  charge  of  a  squad  under  command  of  Lieutenant  R. 
H.  Chapman.  At  this  juncture,  intelligence  having  reached  Captain 
Jones,  through  a  prisoner,  that  a  reinforcement  of  seven  hundred  men 
was  coming  in  by  railroad,  he  ordered  Quartermaster  Sergeant  John  C. 
Allen,  to  take  a  file  of  men  and  burn  a  long  railroad  bridge  in  his  rear, 
which  was  promptly  executed,  the  remainder  of  the  company  advancing 
■until  the  firing  ceased. 

Company  B,  advancing  along  Main  street,  driving  before  it  a  body  of 
the  enemy,  killed  some  and  captured  many.  Lieutenant  Meadows,  and 
a  private  of  said  company,  and  private  S.  T.  Moore,  of  company  A^ 
being  the  first  to  approach  the  brass  field  piece,  which  was  captured. 


483 

Advancing  along  Main  street,  this  company  was  ordered  to  dislodge  a 
party  of  the  enemy  from  a  garden,  which  was  promptly  executed. 
Companies  B  and  C,  and  a  portion  of  company  A,  were  then  ordered 
to  charge  the  depot  and  a  neighboring  brick  building,  from  which  the 
€nemy  was  pouring  an  incessant  fire.  After  a  severe  conflict,  they 
drove  the  enemy  from  both  these  strongholds,  killing  and  capturing 
several  of  them,  and  afterwards  pursuing  the  enemy  to  the  corn-field, 
in  which  they  made  their  last  stand.  The  only  casualty  in  company  B 
was  one  man  wounded;  in  company  C,  two  killed  and  six  wounded, 
three  slightly  and  three  severely;  among  the  latter,  was  2nd  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas  E.  Pitts.  The  left  wing,  viz :  companies  D,  E  and  F, 
under  command  of  Major  Samuel  J.  Winn,  advanced  steadily  on  the 
left  of  the  pike,  engaging  the  enemy  at  several  points,  and  driving 
them  into  the  centre  of  the  town,  having  killed  and  captured  a  num- 
ber of  them,  and  not  halting  until  the  enemy  was  routed.  The  left 
wing  sustained  no  loss  either  in  killed  or  wounded,  I  feel  that  many 
thanks  and  much  praise  are  due  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  my  com- 
jnand  for  their  highly  creditable  and  heroic  conduct  on  the  occasion  of 
this  battle.     All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

F.  M.  NIX, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  commanding  \st  regiment 

Georgia  Partizan  Rangeis. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  R.  M.    GANO,   COMMANDING  BATTA- 
LION CAVALRY  IN  MORGAN'S  BRIGADE. 


To  John  H,  Morgan, 

Brigadier  General,  commanding  Brigade 

In  the  Kentucky  expedition  of  July,  1862  ; 

Honored  Sir:  I  "have  the  pleasure  of  reporting  to  you  the  action 
of  the  battalion  under  my  command  in  the  recen^;  expedition  to  Ken- 
tucky. This  report  is  intended  to  embrace  only  the  action  of  the 
battalion  while  separated  from  the  other  troops  under  your  command. 
The  battalion  was  composed  of  four  companies — two  Texas  companies 
under  my  command,  known  as  the  Texas  squadron;  company  A,  com- 
manded by  Lieut.  Speen,  and  company  B,  by  Capt.  Huffman,  and  two 
Tennessee  companies,  viz  :  Company  0,  commanded  by  Capt.  McMil- 
lan, and  company  D,  by  Capt.  Hamilton,  having  left  Knoxville  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  of  July,  1862.  We  reached  Walden's  ridge  on 
the  evening  of  the  5th,  where  the  bushwhackers  fired  upon  our  forag- 
ing party,  mortally  wounding  Mr.  J.  N.  O'Brien,  of  company  A,  of 
the  Texas  squadron.  He  lived  24  hours,  suffered  much,  Avas  a  model 
soldier,  a^fond  husband,  affectionate  father  and  a  worthy  man  in  all 
the  relations  of  life.  Cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life,  he  died  in  a  noble 
cause,  the  defence  of  his  country  from  the  invader. 

We  reached  Tompkinsvillc  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  about  sunrise. 
I  was  then  ordered  to  the  right  of  the  town,  on  the  Old  Mill  road,  to 
attack  from  that  point,  and  cut  off  all  retreat  from  that  quarter.  I 
proceeded  as  directed,  and  drove  in  the  pickets,  giving  the  alarm  in 
the  enemy's  camp.  When  we  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  they  were 
forming  on  horseback,  apparently  with  the  intention  of  attacking  us, 
not  dreaming  of  the  reception,  prepared  before  breakfast,  for  them.  I 
arranged  my  command  to  receive  them,  but  only  had  the  opportunity 
of  firing  a  few  long  range  guns  at  them,  as  the  well-aimed  shell,  fi-om 
your  howitzers  drove  them  back  from  their  position,  and  I  then 
thought  from  their  movements  that  they  would  retreat  on  the  Burks- 
ville  road,  and  I  immediately  ordered  Capt.  Huffman  through  the 
woods  upon  our  right,  with  two  companies,  to  intercept  them  there, 
.but  the  rapid  and  well-airnedfire  from  the  Georgians,  under  Col.  Hunt, 
from  one  point,  and  of  your  regiment  from   another,  drove  the  enemy 


485 

into  such  a.  hasty  retreat,  that  they  passed  out  through  a  woodland 
trail  some  1-2  mile  or  more,  and  then  falling  into  the  Burksville  road, 
put  their  horses  to  their  utmost  speed.  The  Texans,  so  famous  for 
horsemanship,  started  in  pursuit,  and  a  portion  of  the  squadron,  on 
faster  horses,  soon  came  up  with  some  75  of  the  enemy  under  Major 
Jordan,  and  two  Lieutenants,  trying  to  cover  their  hasty  retreat. 
They  did  not  surrender  to  our  demand,  but  fired  back  at  us,  wounding 
Thomas  Huffhines.  Then  commenced  a  running  fight,  75  Yankees 
against  about  one  dozen  Texans,  and  many  an  invader  bit  the  dust 
Among  the  number,  one  lieutenant,  one  sergeant  and  two  corporals. 
We  captured  Major  Jordan,  one  lieutenant,  one  sergeant  and  four  pri- 
vates. Our  casualties  were,  in  this  running  fight,  two  wounded,  viz: 
J.  Iluflfman,  flesh  wound  in  the  thigh,  and  J.  Jjoose,  a  sabre  cut  in  the 
head,  severing  the  outer  table  of  the  skull — neither  dangerous.  The 
enemy  lost  9  killed,  7  captured  ;  number  of  wounded  unknown.- 

At  Bear  Wallow,  on  the  9th,  Capt.  Huffman's  company  was  detailed 
from  my  command,  upon  an  expedition  under  Capt.  Jack  Allen.  For 
their  movements  I  refer  you  to  his  report. 

After  the  bushwhacking  from  New  Market  to  Lebanon  on  the  night 
of  the  lOtli  and  after  the  surrender  of  Col  Johnson  and  his  forces, 
he  having  stated  that  the  home  guards  would  fire  upon  us  from  the 
houses,  if  we  entered  the  town,  you  will  recollect  how  nobly  the  three 
companies  of  my  battalion  at  the  still  hour  of  the  night  march'  d 
through  to  receive  their  fire.  Lieutenant  Spears  in  front,  Capt.' Mc- 
Millan next,  and  Capt.  Hamilton  third;  but  the  fire  came  not,  the  wo- 
men waived  their  handkerchiefs,  and  the  place  was  ours,  as  witnessed 
by  the  shout  that  rent  the  air,  and  then,  without  rest,  having  teen  in 
saddle  24  hours,  how  cheerfully  we  posted  off  5  miles  in  the  country, 
in  compliance  with  the  order  to  burn  the  bridges,  which  we  did,  cap- 
turing the  guard.  Capt.  Huffman  and  his  company  rejoined  us  at 
Macksville,  the  night  of  tlie  11th,  and  next  morning  I  was  ordered  for- 
ward to  take  possession  of  Harrodsburg.  The  home  guards  had 
assembled  at  this  place,  to  drive  us  back,  but  before  we  came  in  sight 
they  had  fled  precipitately  to  the  Kentucky  cliffs  to  reinforce  Joshua 
Bell  who  was  collecting  all  the  home  guards  at  the  bridge  on  the 
Danville  and  Lexington  road,  and  the  aforesaid  militia  General  (Bell) 
was  exhorting  his  assemblage  to  deeds  of  heroism  and  valor,  when  a 
party  of  C5  home  guards  came  from  Lancaster  to  reinforce  them. 
They  came  shouting  and  waiving  their  hats.  Bell's  pickets  fled  and 
reported  Morgan  coming  with  his  forces  at  full  gallop.  Their  heroic 
leader  then  aanounced  that  they  could  not  possibly  make  a  stand  there 
and  every  man  must  take  care  of  himself,  and  they  all  fled  in  the  di- 
rection of  Lexington,  some  on  horseback,  some  on  foot — (the  author 
of  this,  Mike  Chrisman,  made  several  miles  on  foot  and  fainted  by  the 
wayside).  The  wicked  flee  when  no  man  pu'rsuet'i.  The  excitement 
and  dread  at  Harrodsburg,  on  the  part  of  the  Unionists,  was  intense. 
Strange  that  any  persons  in  Kentucky  could  be  deluded  by  the  lies  of 
Geo.  L).  Trontice,  to  believe  that  the  Southern  people,  noted  for  their 
■chivalry,  liberality  and  sympathy,  could  be  guilty  of  the  baseness 
ascribed  to  us  by  those  base  hirelings  of  the  North.     But  now  they 


486 

have  been  slioAvn  better  by  actions,  which  speak  louder  than  words.  A 
few  words  guaranteeing  respect  to  persons  and  property,  quieted  their 
fears,  and  all  united  in  preparing  us  a  repast.  But  the  ladies — God 
bless  them  ! — true  and  loyal  to  their  native  South,  are  bright  examples 
of  patriotism  and  fidelity  to  our  country,  our  institutions  and  the  lib- 
erties vouchsafed  to  us  by  the  struggles  of  o-ur  forefathers. 

From  Ilarrodsburg,  per  order,  I  proceeded  towards  Paris,  intending 
to  avoid  the  pickets  at  Lexington,  (kiving  only  92  men  with  me,)  but 
accidentally  coming  upon  them,  I  feigned  an  attack,  and  crossing  sev- 
eral roads,  and  frightening  in  their  pickets,  they  reported  a  large  rebel 
force  coming  in  from  different  roads.  The  greatest  excitement  prevailed^ 
and  with  cannon  and  huge  proclamation,  they  prepared  for  defense, 
compelling  every  man,  of  whatever  sentiment,  to  take  up  arms.  I  did 
not  attack  the  city  with  my  small  force,  but  leaving  Lexington  to  my 
right,  and  passing  in  by  Paynes'  depot,  on  the  Frankfort  road,  I 
halted  my  company  at  the  residence  of  John  Payne,  near  Georgetown, 
for  dinner.  Mrs.  P.,  not  knowing  any  better,  sent  word  to  her  hus- 
band in  town,  that  a  body  of  Union  cavalry  were  there.  He  imme- 
diately called  upon  the  Provost  Marshal  to  accompany  him  home.  He' 
could  not  go,  but  sends  his  deputy,  Alex.  Long.  Soon  another  mes- 
senger arrived  in  the  person  of  Oliver  Gaines,  with  an  order  to  me  to- 
take  my  forces  over  to  the  Frankfort  road  and  cut  off  Morgan's  forces, 
as  the  rebels  were  certainly  coming  that  way.  I  answered,  all  right, 
and  administered  the  oath  of  secrecy  and  non-interference  to  the  two 
messengers,  with  three  others  that  had  assembled  there  by  accident. 

I  then  passed  up  the  iron  works  road,  followed,  as  I  afterwards 
learned,  at  long  distance,  by  a  party  of  home  guards,  mounted  upon 
such  horses  as  they  had  been  able  to  pick  upon  the  streets  of  George- 
town, some  riding  with  bridles,  and  some  with  halters,  but  when  they 
came  in  the  rear  of  our  little  column,  they  concluded  discretion  the 
better  part  of  valor,  and  turned  off  on  another  road.  We  passed 
through  the  farm  of  Victor  Flournoy,  stopping  to  refresh  ourselves  at 
the  spring,  of  the  Rev.  R.  J.  Breckinridge,  where  the  ladies  came  out, 
and  one,  whose  bright  eyes  bespoke  a  Southern  heart,  was  very  curious 
to  know  what  party  we  belonged  to.  This  accidental  call  was  con- 
strued into  an  attempt  to  arrest  the  Doctor,  and  his  son,  Capt.  Will. 
Breckinridge,  whom  we  had  not  seen,  was  accused  of  being  accessory. 
It  is  not  surprising  they  should  judge  thus,  meting  by  their  own  meas- 
ure. The  enemy  may  feel  the  effect  of  Capt.  William's  steel  upon  the- 
field  of  battle,  but  they  will  never  find  a  man  of  his  noble  Southern 
soul,  trying  to  secure  his  father's  arrest.  Taking  tea  at  my  fathers', 
I  proceeded  on  to  Kizers'  station,  on  the  Paris  and  Covington  road, 
and  fired  the  bridge.  The  burning  bridge  fired  an  old  shed  beneath, 
which  I  afterAvards  learned  was  Mr.  K.'s  distillery.  I  regretted  the- 
loss  of  private  property,  but  as  it  did  happen,  better  be  a  distillery 
than  anything  else.  I  here  lost  seven  pickets,  through  their  mistak- 
ing the  road,  and  we  hunted  them  until  day,  and,  consequently,  did 
not  destroy  the  Townsend  bridge,  as  I  had  contemplated. 

We  then  proceeded  towards  Georgetown,  and  while  encamped  in  a 
woodland  near    that  place,  R.  P.  Tannehill,  of  company  A,   Texas- 


487 

squadron,  was,  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  gun,  hxunched  into 
eternity.  Robert  was  a  brave  soldier  boy,  always  ready,  devoted  to 
the  Southern  cause,  and  the  main  prop  of  his  widoAved  mother;  but  we 
laid  our  bold  soldier  boy  to  rest  more  than  1,000  miles  from  his  fond 
mother,  who  little  dreams  of  the  removal  of  her  boy.  On  this,  the 
evening  of  the  15th,  we  rejoined  you  in  Georgetown,  and  by  order, 
arrested  Mr.  Sam  Thompson,  the  Provost  Marshal  of  that  place. 

On  the  17th  inst.,  near  Cynthianna,  in  accordance  with  your  order, 
I  proceeded  with  my  command  across  to  the  Millcrsburg  pike,  arrest- 
ing the  guard  at  the  bridge,  driving  in  the  pickets  and  commencing 
the  fight  on  the  side  of  the  town.  We  drove  the  enemy  back  from 
that  portion  of  the  town.  They  soon  returned  in  pretty  large  force, 
waiving  their  hands.  I  ordered  to  cease  firing,  thinking  they  wished 
to  surrender,  but  they  had  mistaken  us  for  home  guards,  and  com- 
menced cursing  us  for  firing  on  our  own  men.  I  ordered  them  to  lay 
down  their  arms,  when  they  fired  and  ran.  We  opened  a  brisk  fire  and 
they  dropped  their  guns  for  two  squares  down  the  street.  We  killed 
some  ten  or  twelve,  wounding  many,  and  capturing  as  many  more  in 
town^nd  when  they  retreated  from  the  town,  we  pursued  on  horse- 
back, capturing  many  more.  The  loss  from  my  battalion  was  1  killed 
in  Capt,  Hamilton's  company,  3  badly  wounded,  viz :  Lieutenant  R. 
Speer,  of  company  A,  of  the  Texas  squadron,  Clarke  Aldridge,  of 
Capt.  Huffman's  company.  There  were  two  others  slightly  wounded. 
Capt.  II.  is  of  a  brave  stock,  and  is  an  honor  to  the  name.  On  all 
other  occasions,  the  forces  were  together,  and  your  report  will  embrace 
the  whole. 

My  command  conducted  themselves  with  the  bravery  that  has  al- 
ways characterized  them,  securing  lasting  honors  to  themselves,  while 
rendering  such  efficient  service  to  their  country  ;  and  to  their  honor, 
be  it  said,  they  have  never  failed  to  show  kindness  to  the  captured  and 
wounded  of  the  enemy,  and  respect  to  the  rights  of  others.  I  think 
the  kindness  of  your  entire  command  to  the  enemy,  when  in  their 
power,  will  be  a  good  example  to  those  of  our  enemies,  who  have, 
throughout  the  State  of  Kentucky,  busied  themselves  with  tyranniz- 
ing over  and  oppressing  those  who  honestly  differ  with  them  in  polit- 
ical opinion.  Let  all  those  who  wish  to  serve  their  country,  join  the 
army  and  show  to  the  world  they  are  not  cowards,  and  not  employ 
their  time  in  trying,  in  a  cowardly  manner,  to  secure  the  arrest 
of  those  neighbors  who  differ  with  them  in  political  sentiment. 

W^e  are  now,  on  the  29th  inst.,  again  at  Knoxvillc,  Tenn.,  hav- 
ing returned  from  one  of  the  most  daring  and  adventurous  expe- 
ditions on  record,  with  a  very  small  loss  in  numbers,  but  having 
struck  a  blow  from  which  the  enemy  will  not  soon  recover. 

Yours, 

R.  M.  GANO, 
Major,  commanding  Battalion  Cavalry  in  Morgan'' s  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  HARRIS. 


Morgan's   Brigade,  Cynthiana,  Ky,,  ) 
July  18,   1862.      \ 

Captain  Alleton, 

A.  A.  General,  Morgan's  Legion  : 

Sir  :  In  obedience  to  special  instructions,  I  have  to  report  that  my 
battery  entered  the  engagement  of  17th  instant,  on  the  Turnpike  road, 
leading  to  this  place,  about  300  yards  from  the  bridge,  at  —  o'clock, 
and  commenced  shelling  the  enemy,  who  were  occupying  th^latter 
position,  which  was  kept  up  under  showers  of  musketry,  balls  and 
grape,  from  the  enemy's  artillery  for  an  hour,  at  which  time  they  re- 
tired before  a  charge  of  cavalry.  By  order  of  the  General,  the  pieces 
were  then  manned,  by  hand,  to  the  front,  across  the  bridge,  again 
coming  under  galling  fire  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  who  occupied 
the  depot  and  surrounding  buildings,  about  80  yards  distant. 

I  regret  here  to  have  to  report  the  inefficiency  of  my  command,  for 
a  short  time,  resulting  mainly  from  a  want  of  discipline  and  drill, 
which  you  know  I  have  scarcely  had  time  to  produce.  Under  these 
difficulties,  however,  the  firing  continued  slowly  until  the.  enemy 
evacuated  his  final  position.  The  casualties  in  this  command  are  as 
follows,  viz.  : 

Wounded — Cannonier  "W.  B.  Shelton,  slightly  in  the  head;  can- 
nonier  Thomas  Shanks,  flesh  wound  in  leg.     Three  horses  killed. 

In  conclusion,  I  cannot  but.  mention  the  gallant  conduct  of  can- 
nonier AV.  B.  Shelton,  as  setting  an  emulous  example  to  others,  who, 
when  having  been  wounded  in  th6  head,  and  lain  senseless  for  ten 
minutes,  on  recovering  himself,  resumed  his  post,  where  he  continued 
throughout  the  engagement, 

I  am.  Captain,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOS.  C.  HARRIS, 
Fi'st  Limtenant  commanding  Artillery,  Morgan's  Legion. 


GEORGE  ELSWORTirS  DISrATCIIES. 


Knoxville,  July  30,  1862. 

% 
Captain  A.  R.  Alston, 

A.  A.  General : 

Sir  :  On  July  lOtli,  General  Morgan,  -witli  a  body-guard  of  fifteen 
men  and  myself,  arrived  at  a  point  half  a  mile  belovr  Horse  Cave,  on 
the  Louisville  and  Nashville  railroad,  ^Yherc  I  took  down  the  tele- 
graph line  and  connected  my  pocket  instrument,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  off  all  dispatches  as  they  passed  through.  Owing  to  a  heavy 
storm  prevailing  south  the  atmospheric  electricity  prevented  ir.e  from 
commuuicatinc;  with  Bowlino;  Green  or  Nashville.  The  first  I  heard 
■was  Louisville  calling  Bowling  Green.  I  immediately  put  on  my 
ground  wire  south,  and  noticed  particularly,  at  the  same  time,  what 
change  it  would  make  in  the  circuit.  It  did  make  it  stronger,  but 
owing  to  the  storm  mentioned  above,  affecting  telegraphs  more  or  less, 
Louisville  did  not  suspicion  anything  wrong,  and  I  answered  for  Bow- 
ling Green,  when  I  received  the  following  message : 

Louisville,  July  10,  1862. 

To  S.  D.  Brown, 

Commanding  Bowling  Green  : 

You  and  Colonel  Houghton  move  together.  I  fear  the  force  of 
Colonel  Houghton  is  too  small  ih  venture  to  Glasgow.  The  whole 
force  should  move  together,  as  the  enemy  are  mounted.  We  cannot 
venture  to  leave  the  road  too  far,  as  they  may  pass  around  and  ruin 
it.  J.  T.  BOYLE, 

Brigadier  General,  commanding. 

I  returned  the  usual  signal,  after  receiving  the  message,  of  0  K. 

Louisville  immediately  called  Nashville,  and  I  answered  for  Nash- 
ville, receiving  business  for  two  hours.  This  business  was  mostly  of 
a  private  nature,  and  I  took  no  copies.  It  could  be  plainly  seen,  by 
the  tenor  of  the  messages,  that  Morgan  was  in  the  coun^^y,  and  all 
orders  to  send  money  and  valuables  by  railroad  were  countermanded, 


490 

(as  tbcy  supposed) ;  but  little  did  the  operator  at  Louisville  think  that 
all  of  his  work  would  have  to  be  repeated  the  jiext  day.  Louisville 
also  sent  the  news  of  the  day,  and  thus  all  were  furnished  with  New 
York  and  Washington  dates  of  that  day.  During  the  whole  of  the 
time  it  was  raining  heavy.  My  situation  was  anything  but  an  agree- 
able one — sitting  in  the  mud,  with  my  feet  in  the  water  up  to  my 
knees. 

At  11  o'clock,  r.  M.,  the  general  being  satisfied  that  I  had  drained 
Louisville  of  all  the  news,  concluded  to  close  for  the  night,  and  he 
verbally  gave  me  the  following  message  to  send,  dating  and  signing 
it  as  below  : 

*  Nashville,  July  10,  1862. 

To  Henry  Bent,  t 

Provost  Marshal,  Louisville : 

General  Forrest,  commanding  brigade,  attacked  Murfreesboro', 
routing  our  forces,  and  is  now  moving  on  Nashville.  Morgan  is  re- 
ported to  be  between  Scottsville  and  Gallatin,  and  will  act  in  concert 
with  Forrest,  it  is  believed.     Inform  general  commanding. 

STANLEY  MATHEWS, 

Provost  Marshal. 


I  am  not  aware  that  General  Morgan  claims  to  be  a  prophet,  or  a 
son  of  a  prophet,  but  Forrest  did  attack  Murfreesboro',  and  rout  the 
enemy. 

On  arriving  at  Lebanon,  July  the  12th,  I  accompanied  the  advance 
guard  into  town,  and  took  charge  of  the  telegraph  office  immediately. 
This  was,  as  you  know,  at  3:30  A.  M.  I  adjusted  the  instrument 
and  examined  the  circuit.  No  other  operator  on  the  line  appeared  to 
be  on  hand  this  early.  I  then  examined  all  the  dispatches  of  the 
day  previous.     Among  them  I  found  the  following  : 

Lebanon,  July  11,  1862. 

To  General  Boyle, 

Louisville,  Ky.  :  ' 

I  have  positive  information  that  there  are  400  marauders  in  20 
miles  of  this  place,  on  the  old  Lexington  road,  approaching  Lebanon. 
Send  reinforcements  immediately. 

A.  Y.  JOHNSON, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  commanding. 

At  7:30  A.  M.  an  operator,  signing  Z,  commenced  calling  B,  which 
I  had  ascertained  by  the  books  in  the  office,  was  the  signal  for  Leba- 
non office.  I  answered  the  call,  when  the  following  conversation  be- 
tween Z  and  myself  ensued  : 


491 

ToB: 

What  news  ?     Any  more  skirmishing  after  your  last  message  ? 

Z. 

ToZ: 

No;  wc  drove  what  little  cavalry  there  was  away.  B. 

To  B: 

Has  the  train  arrived  yet  ?  Z. 

To  Z; 

No.     About  how  many  troops  on  train.  B, 

ToB: 

Five  hundred.  Z. 

My  curiosity  being  excited  as  to  what  station  Z  was,  and  to  ascer- 
tain, without  creating  any  suspicion,  I  adopted  the  following  plan: 

^To  Z: 

A  gentleman  here  in  the  office  bets  me  the   cigr.rs  you  cannot  spell 
the  name  of  your  station  correctly. 

To  B: 

Take  the  bet.     Lebanon  Junction.     Is  this  not   right  ?     How  did 
he  think  I  would  spell  it  ? 

To  Z: 

He  gives  it  up.     He  thought  you  would  put  two  b's  in  Lebanon. 

*     B. 

To  B: 

Ha  !  ha  !     He  is  a  green  one.  Z. 

To  Z: 

Yes  ;  that's  so.  B. 

To  Z : 

What  time  did  train  with  soldiers  pass?  B. 

To  B: 

At  8:30  last  night.  Z. 


492 

To  Z : 

Very  singular  where  the  train  is.  B. 

To  B : 
Yes,  it  is.     Let  me  know  when  it  arrives,  Z. 

At  8:20  Z  called  me  up,  and  said : 

To  B: 

The  train  has  returned.  They  had  a  fight  with  the  rebels  at  New 
Hope.     The  commanding  officer  awaits  orders  here.  Z. 

To  Z: 

Give  us  the  particulars  of  the  fight.  Colonel  Johnson  is  anxious 
to  know  all  about  it.  B. 

To  B: 

I  will  as  soon  as  possible.  Z. 

To  B  : 
Here  is  Moore's  message  to  General  Boyle.  Z. 

Lebanon  Junction,  July  12,  1862. 
To  General  Boyle, 

Louisville,  Ky. : 

At  1 1  o'clock  last  night  part  of  my  command  encountered  a  force 
of  rebel  cavalry,  posted  on  the  county  road  half  a  mile  south  of  the 
railroad.  After  a  brisk  fire  of  musketry  for  twenty  minutes,  the  ene- 
my was  routed,  and  fled.  Skirmishers  Avere  sent  out  iu  difierent  di- 
rections, but  were  unable  to  find  the  enemy.  At  three  this  morning, 
apprehending  that  an  effort  might  be  made  to  destroy  the  bridges  in 
our  rear,  we  moved  down  to  New  Haven,  and  remained  until  after 
day-light,  when  the  train  went  back  to  the  scene  of  the  skirmish. 

A  Mr.  Forman,  of  Owen  county,  was  found  mortally  wounded.  He 
reported  the  rebel  force  at  450,  under  command  of  Captain  Jack  Al- 
len, and  that  they  had  fallen  back  towards  Grcensburg.  One  horse 
was  killed  and  three  captured.  The  books  of  the  company  were 
found.  In  the  field  blood  was  found  at  different  places,  showing  that 
the  enemy  was  severely  punished.  No  casualties  on  our  side.  Here, 
with  train,  Avaiting  orders.  0.  F.  MOORE, 

Commanding. 

Lebanon  junction  being  the  repeating  station  for  Louisville  busi- 
ness, he  forwarded  the  following  telegrams,  just  from  Louisville  9, 
A.  M.  : 


493 

Louisville,  July  12,  1862. 


To  C;olonel  Johnscrn, 

Lebanon 


Leave  good  guard  and  join  Colonel  Owen.  Pursue  the  enemy  and 
drive  him  out.     Be  cautious  and  vigorous.     Make  no  delay. 

J.  T.  BOYLE, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 

Louisville,  July  12,  1862. 

To  Colonel  Owen, 

Lebanon : 

You  will  m^vo  after  the  enemy  and  pursue  him. 

J.  T.  BOYLE, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 

You  will  see  by  the  above  message  that  Colonel  Owen  must  have 
been  en  route  for  Lebanon. 

Up  to  the  time  of  our  leaving  Lebanon,  which  was  about  noon.  Col- 
onel Moore,  in  command  of  those  500  troops  at  Lebanon  junction,  had 
not  received  his  orders,  or  I  could  furnish  you  with  them.  This  I 
greatly,  regretted,  but  General  Morgr.n,  having  no  fears  of  "Lincoln's 
web-footed  soldiery,"  told  me  I  could  close  my  office,  and  to  allay  all 
suspicion  at  not  being  able  to  communicate  with  Lebanon  during  the 
piftcrnoon,  I  told  the  operator  at  Lebanon  junction  as  follows  : 

To  Z.  : 

I  have  been  up  all  night  and  am  very  sleepy,  if  you  have  no  objec- 
tion I  will  take  a  nap  until  2  or  3  o'clock.  B. 

To  B.  : 
All  right,  don't  oversleep  yourself.  Z. 

Wonder  if  I  did  ! 

Arrived  at  Midway,  on  the  Lexington  and  Louisville  railroad,  about 
10  A.  M.  At  this  place  I  surprised  the  operator,  who  was  quietly 
sitting  on  the  platform  of  the  depot,  enjoying  himself  hugely.  Little 
did  he  suspicion  that  Morgan  was  in  his  vicinity. 

I  asked  him  to  call  Lexington,  and  to  ask  Lexington  the  time  of 
day.  IIo  did  so.  I  demanded  this  for  the  purpose  of  getting  his 
style  of  handling  the  key,  which  corroborated  my  first  impression, 
from  the  fact  that  I  noticed  paper  in  the  instrument.  To  use  a  tele- 
graphic phrase,  he  was  a  "  plug  operator."  I  adopted  his  style  of  wri- 
ting and  commenced  operations. 

In  tliis  office  I  found  a  signal  book,  which  by  the  way,  became  very 
useful.    It  contained  the  calls  for  all  the  offices.    Dispatch  after  dispatch 


494 

was  going  to  and  fro  from  Lexington,  Georgetown,  Paris  and  Frank- 
fort. All  contained  something  in  reference  to  Morgan.  I  tested  the 
line,  and  found  by  applying  my  ground  wire  it  made  no  difference  Avith 
the  circuit,  and  as  Lexington  was  headquarters,  I  cut  Frankfort  off. 

I  omitted  to  state,  that  on  commencing  operations  at  this  place,  I 
discovered  that  there  were  two  wires  on  this  railroad.  One  was  what 
we  term  a  through  wire,  running  direct  from  Lexington  to  Frankfort, 
and  not  entering  any  of  the  way  offices.  I  found  that  all  military 
business  was  sent  over  that  wire,  and  as  it  did  not  enter  Midway  office 
I  ordered  it  cut,  thus  forcing  Lexington  on  the  wire  that  did  run  into 
this  office. 

Midway  was  called  and  I  answered,  when  I  received  the  following  : 

Lexington,  July  loth,  1862. 
To  J.  W.  Woolums, 

Operator,  Midway : 

Will  there  be  any  danger  in  coming  to  Midway.  Is  every  thing 
right.      *  -  .  TAYLOR, 

Conductor. 

I  enquired  of  my  prisoner,  if  he  knew  a  man  by  the  name  of  Taylor, 
lie  said  Taylor  was  conductor.  I  immediately  gave  Taylor  the  fol- 
lowing reply  : 

Midway,  July  15th,  1862.     ' 

To  Taylor, 

Lexington : 

All  right.     Come  on.     No  signs  of  any  rebels  here. 

WOOLUMS. 

The  operator  in  Cincinnati  then  called  Frankfort.  I  answered,  and 
received  about  a  dozen  of  unimportant  dispatches.  He  had  no  sooner 
finished,  when  Lexington  called  Frankfort,  and  again  I  answered, 
receiving  the  following  message  : 

Lexington,  July  15th,  1862. 
To  General  Finnell^ 

Frankfort : 

I  wish  you  to  move  the  forces  at  Frankfort,  on  the  line  of  the  Lex- 
ington railroad  immediately,  and  have  the  cars  follow,  and  take  them 
up  as  soon  as  possible.  Further  orders  will  await  them  at  Midway. 
I  will,  in  three  or  four  hours  move  forAvard  on  the  Georgetown  road. 
Will  have  most  of  my  men  mounted.  Morgan  left  Versailles  this 
morning  at  8,  with  800  men,  on  the  Midway  road,  moving  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Georgetown.  Brigadier  General  WARD. 


495 

This  being  our  position  and  intention  exactly,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  throw  General  Ward  on  some  other  track,  so  in  the  course  of  half 
an  hour,  I  manufactured  the  following  dispatch,  which  was  approved 
by  General  Morgan,  and  I  sent  it : 

Midway,  Jul^  15,  1862. 

To  Brigadier  General  Ward, 

Lexington  : 

Morgan,  with  upwards  of  one  thousand  men,  came  within  a  mile  of 
here,  and  took  the  old  Frankfort  road,  bound,  as  we  suppose,  for  Frank- 
fort.    This  is  reliable.  WOOLUMS, 

Operator. 

In  about  ,10  minutes,  Lexington  again  called  Frankfort,  and  as  I 
was  doing  the  work  of  two  or  three  offices,  I  answered  the  call,  and 
received  the  following  : 

Lexington,  July  15,  1862. 

To  General  Finncll, 

Frankfort : 

Morgan,  with  more  than  one  thousand  men,  came  within  a  mile  of 
here,  and  took  the  old  Frankfort  road.  This  dispatch  received  from 
Midway,  and  is  reliable.  The  regiment  from  Frankfort  had  better  be 
recalled.  •  General  AYARD. 

I  receipted  for  this  message,  and  again  manufactured  a  message  to 
confirm  the  information  General  Ward  had  received  from  Midway,  and 
not  knowing  the  tariff  from  Frankfort  to  Lexington,  I  could  not  send 
a  formal  message.  I  waited  until  the  circuit  was  occupied,  and  then 
broke  in,  appearing  greatly  excited,  and  told  those  using  the  wire  I 
must  have  the  circuit,  and  commenced  calling  Lexington,  lie  answered 
with  as  much  gusto  as  I  called.     I  telegraphed  as  follows  : 

To  Lexington  : 

Tell  General  Ward  our  pickets  have  just  been  driven  in.  Great 
excitement.     Tickets  say  the  force  of  the  enemy  must  be  2,()()(). 

FRANKFORT. 

It  was  now  2  P.  M.,  and  General  Morgan  wished  to  be  off  for  George- 
town. T  run  a  secret  ground  connection,  and  opened  the  circuit  on 
the  Lexington  end.  This  was  done  to  leave  the  impression  that  tho 
Frankfort  Operator  was  **  skedadling,"  or  that  Morgan's  men  hafd  des- 
troyed the  telegraph. 

Wc  arrived  at  Georgetown  at  sundown.  I  went  to  the  telegraph 
office  ;  found  it  locked;  enquired  for  the  operator  ;  he  was  pointed  out 
to  me.    I  hailed  him  and  demanded  admission  into  his  office.     lie  very 


496 

courteously  showed  me  into  Lis  office.  I  discovered  the  instruments 
had  been  removed.  I  asked  where  they  were  ;  he  replied,  that  he  had 
sent  them  to  Lexington.  I  asked  him  what  tim.e  he  had  Lexington 
last.  He  said  9  o'clock,  since  that  time  the  line  had  been  down.  I 
remarked  that  it  must  be  an  extraordinary  line  to  be  in  working  con- 
dition when  it  was  doicn,  as  I  heard  him  sending  messages  to  Lexington 
when  I  was  at  Midway  at  one  o'clock.  This  was  a  stunner,  he  had 
nothing  to  s£y.  I  immediately  tested  the  line  by  applying  the  ends 
of  the  wire  to  my  tongue,  and  found  the  line  0  K.  I  said  nothing  to 
him,  but  called  for  a  guard  of  two  men  to  take  care  of  Wm.  Smith, 
until  I  got  ready  to  leave  town. 

I  did  not  interrupt  the  line  until  after  tea,  when  I  put  in  my  own 
instruments,  and  after  listening  for  an  hour  or  two  at  the  Yankees 
talking,  I  opened  the  conversation  as  follows  :  signing  myself  Federal 
Operator,  as  I  had  done  before  successfully  at  other  places. 

To  Lexington : 

Keep  mum.  I  am  in  the  office,  reading'  by  the  sound  of  my  magnet 
in  the  dark.  I  crawled  in  when  no  one  seen  me.  Morgan's  men 
arc  here,  camped  on  Dr.  Ganos'  place. 

GEORGETOWN. 

To  Georgetown : 

Keep  cool.  Don't  be  discouraged.  About  how  many  rebels  are 
there  ? 

LEXINGTON. 


To  Lexington  :  ■ 

I  don't  know.  I  did  not  notice,  as  Morgan's  Operator  was  asking 
me  about  my  instruments.  I  told  him  I  sent  them  to  Lexington.  He 
said  damn  the  luck  and  went  out.  GEORGETOWN. 

To  Georgetown  : 
Be  on  hand  and- keep  us  posted.  LEXINGTON. 

To  Lexington  : 

I  will  do  so.     Tell  General  Ward  I'll  stay  up  all  night  if  he  wishes. 

GEORGETOWN. 

To  Georgetown  : 

Mr.  Fulton  wishes  to  know  if  the  Rebels  are  there. 

CINCINNATI. 


To  Cincinnati : 

'    Yes.  .  Morgan's  men  are  here. 


GEORGETOWN. 


497 

To  Georgetown  :  ' 

How  can  you  be  in  the  office  and  not  be  arrested  ? 

CINCINNATI. 

To  Cincinnati : 

Oh  !  I  am  in  tlic  dark  and  reading  by  sound  of  the  magnet. 

GEORGETOWN. 
This  settled  Cincinnati. 

Question  after  question  was  asked  me  about  the  lebels,  and  I  an- 
swered to  suit  myself.  Things  had  been  going  on  this  way  about  two 
hours,  when  Lexington  asked  me  where  my  assistant  was  ?  I  replied,. 
Don't  know.  He  then  asked  me,  have  you  seen  him  to-day  ?  I  re- 
plied no.  Well,  from  this  time  out,  no  telegraphing  could  1  do  in  the 
beautiful  city  of  Georgetown. 

Wishing  to  keep  myself  busy  and  make  myself  useful,  I  concluded i 
to  call  on  Mr.  Smith,  the  operator,  who  was  under  guard  in  my  room. 
I  did  so.  I  informed  jNIr.  Smith  that  I  would  furnish  him  with  a  mule 
in  the  morning,  and  I  should  be  pleased  to  have  him  accompany  me 
to  Dixie,  as  I  understood  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States 
Government.      This  was  anything  but  agreeable  to  the  said  Smith. 

It  seemed  to  me  I  had  hit  the  young  man  in  the  right  place,  and  I 
remarked  that  if  he  had  not  sent  his  instruments  to  Lexington,  I  would 
have  taken  them  in  preference  to  his  person.  His  face  brightened,  and 
an  idea  struck  him  very  forcibly  tliat  he  would  make  a  proposition.  He 
did  so,  and  it  was  to  furnish  me  the  instruments,  if  I  would  release  him. 
This  I  agreed  to,  as  telegraph  instruments  are  of  much  more  value 
to  the  Southern  Confederacy  than  Yankee  telegraphers.  I  accompa- 
nied Mr.  Smith  to  the  servant's  room,  and  there,  under  the  bed,  in  a 
chest,  were  the  instruments.  After  Mr.  Smith  giving  me  his  word  of 
honor  not  to  leave  town  for  twenty-four  hours,  he  was  at  liberty  to 
visit  his  wife  and  young  Smiths. 

On  arriving  at  Cynthianna,  I  found  that  the  operator  had  ''  skc- 
dadled."  I  tested  the  wires  and  found  no  fluid  from  cither  Cincinnati 
or  Lexington,  nor  were  the  wires  ia  working  condition  when  1  left  the 
next  day.  At  Paris  the  operator  had  made  a  clean  sweep.  He  left 
the  night  before,  taking  all  his  instruments.  At  Crab  Orchard  there 
was  no  office,  and  I  put  in  my  pocket  magnet.  This  was  at  1 1  A.  M., 
and  the  first  message  I  heard  was  the  following  : 

Louisville,  July  2. 
To  Colonel  Woo/ford, 

Danville  : 
Pursue  Morgan,     lie  is  at  Crab  Orchard,  going  to  Somer.'ct, 

boyle: 

No  sooner  had   the   Danville   operator  receipted  for   thi^,  than  the 
operator  at  Lebanon,  suggested  the  following : 
32 


498 

To  lAhanon  Junction  : 

"Would  it  not  be  well  for  Danville  and  offices  below  here  to  put  on 
their  ground  wires,  when  they  send  or  receive  important  message?,  as 
George  Elsworth,  the  rebel  operator,  may  be  on  the  line  between  here 
and  CAimberland  Gap. 

LEBANON. 

The  operator  at  the  Junction  agreed  with  him,  and  said  it  would  be 
a  good  idea,  but  it  was  not  carried  into  effect. 

Arrived  at  Somerset  that  morning,  I  took  charge  of  the  office.  I 
ascertained  from  citizens  that  the  office  had  been  closed  for  three  weeks 
up  to  the  very  hour  our  advance  guard  arrived  in  town,  and  then  it 
was  opened  by  the  operator  from  London,  who  came  to  work  the 
instrument  for  the  purpose  of  catching  IMorgan,  but  unfortunately  for 
Uncle  Sam,  the  operator  had  no  time  to  either  send  or  receive  a  mes- 
sage. But  I  am  glad  to  say  he  had  it  in  fine  working  condition  for 
me.  I  had  been  in  the  office  sometime,  when  Stanford  called  Somerset, 
and  said,  "  I  have  just  returned  from  Crab  Orchard,  where  I  have 
been  to  fix  the  line.  The  rebels  tore  it  down.  I  left  there  at  8  o'clock. 
The  9th  Pennsylvania  cavalry  had  not  then  arrived.  What  time  did 
you  get  in  from  London  ? 

• 


To  Stanford  : 

"Just  arrived,  and  got  my  office  working  finely." 


STANFORD. 


SOMERSET. 


To  Somerset : 

Any  signs  of  Morgan  yet  ?     He  left  Crab  Orchard,  at  11. 30  A.  M., 
to-day. 

STANFORD. 
To  Stanford  : 

No.     No  signs  of  him  as  yet; 

SOMERSET. 

To  Somerset : 

For  fear  they  may  take  you  by  surprise,  I  would  suggest  we  have  a 
private  signal.      What  say  you  ? 

STANFORD. 

To  Somerset  : 

Good.     Before  signing  we  will  make  the' figure  7. 

SOMERSET. 

This  was  mutually  agreed  upon. 


499 

I  asked  when  would  Woolford  be  at  Somerset,  and  he  said  Wool- 
ford  had  telegraphed  Bojle  that  his  force  was  green  and  insuflRcient  to 
attack  JNIorgan.  Seeing  there  was  no  use  of  my  losing  a  night's 
rest,  I  told  Stanford  I  would  retire,  and  that  I  had  made  arrangements 
with  the  picket-^  to  wake  me  up  in  case  Morgan  came  in.  The  opera- 
tor at  Lebanon  Junction  urged  mc  to  sit  up,  but  I  declined  on  the 
ground  of  being  unwell.  This  did  not  satisfy  him,  but  after  arguing 
with  him  Some  time  I  retired, 

July  22. 
Opened  office  at  7  o'clock.     Informed  Stanford  operator  that  Mor- 
gan had  not  yet  arrived.     Made  enquiries  about  different  things,  and 
after  everything  in  town  belonging  to  the  United  States  Government 
was  destroyed,  the  General  gave  me  the  following  messages  to  semi: 

SoMET.SET,  July  22. 

To  Gcwgc  D.  Prentice, 

Louisville : 

Good  morning  George  J).  I  am  quietly  watching  the  complete  de- 
struction of  all  of  Uncle  Sam's  property  in  this  liitl c  burg.  I  regret, 
exceedingly,  that  this  is  the  last  that  comes  under  my  supervision  on 
this  route.  I  expect,  in  a  short  time,  to  pay  you  a  visit,  and  wish  to 
know  if  you  will  be  at  home.     All  well  in  Dixie. 

JOHN  n.  MORGAN, 
Commanding  Brigade. 

Somerset,  July  22. 

General  J.  T.  Boyle, 

Louisville : 

Good  morning  Jerry.  This  telegraph  is  a  great  institution.  You 
should  destroy  it,  as  it  keeps  me  too  well  posted.  My  friend  Elsworth 
has  all  of  your  dispatches  since  the  10th  of  July,- on  file.  Do  you 
wish  copies. 

JOHN  n.  MORGAN, 
Commanding  Brigade. 

lion.  George  Dunl  p, 

Washington,  D.  C. : 

Just  completed  my  tour  through  Kentucky;  captured  1(3  cities; 
destroyed  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  United  States  property  ;  passed 
through  your  country,  but  regret  not  seeing  you.  We  paroled  1,500 
Federal  prisoners. 

Your  old  friend, 

JOHN  H.  MORGAN, 
Commanding  Brigade, 


500 

The  following  i  s  an  order  I  issued  to  all  operators  while  at  George^ 
town  : 

Headquarters  Telegraph  Department  of  Kentucky,  ^ 

Confederate  States  of  America,  > 

Georgetown,  July  16,  1862.      ) 

General  Order, 

No.  1. 

When  an  operator  is  positively  informed  that  the  enemy  is  marching 
on  his  station,  he  will  immediately  proceed  to  destroy  the  telegraph 
instruments  and  all  materials  in  his  charge.  Such  instances  of  care- 
lessness as  exhibited  on  the  part  of  the  operators  at  Lebanon,  Midway 
and  Georgetown,  will  be  severely  dealt  with. 

By  order  of  G.  A.  ELSWORTH, 

General  Military  Superintendejit  C.  S.  Telegraph  Department. 

The  above  report  contains  but  a  few  of  the  dispatches  I  received 
and  sent  during  General  Morgan^s  late  expedition  through  Kentucky. 
Those  of  the  greatest  interest  and  importance  are  respectfully  sub- 
mitted. 

I  remain,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  A.  ELSWORTH, 

Morgan^s   Telegrapher. 


R-EFOPtT 


OPERATIONS  ON  THE  PENINSULA, 


MAJOR  GEN.  J.  B.  MAGRUDEll,  COMMANDING. 


Headqurtkrs  Dfpartmf.nt  of  Peninsula,  ) 
Lek's  Farm,  May  3rd,  1862.       \ 

General  S.  Cooper, 

A.  and  I.  G.,  C.  S.  A.  : 

General:  Deeming  it  of  vital  importance,  to  hold  Yorktown,  on 
York  river,  and  Mulberry  Island  on  James  river,  and  to  keep  the 
enemy  in  check  by  an  intervening  line,  until  the  authorities  might 
take  such  steps,  as  shouM  be  deemed  necessary  to  meet  a  serious  ad- 
vance of  the  enemy  in  the  Peninsula,  I  felt  compelled  to  dispose  my 
forces  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  accomplish  these  objects,  with  the  least 
risk  possible,  under  the  circumstances  of  great  hazard,  which  sur- 
rounded the  little  army  I  commanded. 

I  had  prepared,  as  my  real  line  of  defense,  positions  in  advance  at 
IlarwoofPs  and  Young's  Mills.  Both  flanks  of  this  line  were  defended 
by  boggy  and  dilhcult  streams  and  swamps. 

In  addition,  the  left  flank  was  defended  by  elaborate  fortification  at 
Ship  Point,  connected  by  a  broken  lino  of  redoubts,  crossing  the  heads 
of  the  various  ravines  emptying  into  York  river  and  Wormley's  creek, 
and  terminating  at  Fort  Grafton,  nearly  in  front  of  Yorktown.  The 
right  flank  was  defended  Iiy  the  fortifications  at  the  mouth  of  Warwick 
river,  and  at  Mulberry  Island  Point,  and  the  redoubts  extending  from 
the  Warwick  to  James  river. 


502 

Intervening  between  the  two  lines,  was  a  wooded  country,  about 
two  miles  in  extent.  This  wooded  line,  forming  the  center,  needed 
the  defense  of  infantry  in  a  sufficient  force  to  prevent  any  attempt  on 
the  part  of  the  enemj-  to  break  through  it. 

In  my  opinion,  this  advanced  line,  with  its  flank  defences,  might 
have  been  held  by  twenty  thousand  troops.  With  twenty-five  thousand, 
I  do  not  believe  it  could  have  been  broken  by  any  force  the  enemy 
could  have  brought  against  it.  Its  two  flanks  were  protected  by  the 
<■<■  Virginia"  and  the  works  on  one  side,  and  the  fortifications  at  York- 
town  and  Gloucester  Point  on  the  other.  ■ 

Finding  ray  forces  too  weak  to  attempt  the  defense  of  this  line,  I 
was  compelled  to  prepare  to  receive  the  enemy,  on  a  second  line,  on  . 
Warwick  river.  This  line  was  incomplete  in  its  preparations,  owing 
to  the  fact,  that  a  thousand  negro  laborers,  Avhom  I  had  engaged  in 
fortifying,  were  taken  from  me  and  discharged,  by  superior  orders,  in 
December  last ;  and  a  delay  of  nine  weeks  consequently  occurred,  be- 
fore I  could  re-organize  the  laborers  for  the  engineers. 

Keeping,  then,  only  small  bodies  of  troops  at  Harwood's  and 
Young's  Mills,  and'  at  Ship  Point,  I  distributed  my  remaining  forces 
along  the  Warwick  line,  embracing  a  front  from  Yorktown  to  Minor's 
farm,  of  twelve'*milo3,  and  from  the  latter  place  to  Mulberry  Island 
Point,  of  one  and  a  half  miles.  I  was  compelled  to  place  in  Gloucester 
Point,  Yorktown,  and  Mulberry  Island,  fixed  garrisons,  amounting  to 
six  thousand  men,  my  whole  force  being  eleven  thousand.  So,  that  it 
will  be. seen  that  the  balance  of  the  line,  embracing  alength  of  thirteen 
miles,  was  defended  by  about  five  thousand  men. 

After  the  reconnoissances  in  great  force  from  Fortress  Monroe  and 
Newport  News,  the  enemy  on  the  3rd  April,  advanced  and  took  pos- 
sessicn  of  Harwood's  Mjll.  lie  advanced  in  two  heavy  columns.  One 
along  the  Old  York  road,  and  the  other  along  the  Warwick  road,  and 
on  the  5th  April,  appeared  simultaneously  along  the  whole  front  of 
our  line  from  Minor's  farm  to  Yorktown.  I  have  no  accurate  data, 
upon  which  to  base  an  exact  statement  of  his  force,  but  from  various 
sources  of  information,  I  vras  satisfied  that  I  had  before  mo,  the  ene- 
my's army  of  the  Potomac,  under  the  command  of  General  McClellan, 
with  the  exception  of  the  two  cor-pa  cf  arinee  of  Banks  and  McDowell, 
respectively.  Forming  an  aggregate  number  of  certainly  not  less  than 
one  hundred  thousand,  since  ascertained  to  have  been  one  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  men. 

On  every  portion  of  my  lines,  he  attacked  us  with  a  furious  can- 
nonading and  musketry,  which  was  responded  to  Avith  efi"ect,  by  our 
batteries  and  troops  of  the  line.  His  skirmishers  were  also  well  thrown 
forward  on  this  and  the  succeeding  day,  and  energetically  felt  our 
wl^ole  line,  but  were  everywhere  repulsed  by  the  steadiness  of 
our  troops.  Thus,  with  five  thousand  men,  exclusive  of  the  garrisons, 
we  stopped  and  held  in  check,  over  one  hundred  thousand  of  the  enemy. 
Every  preparation  was  made  in  anticipation  of  another  attack  by  the 
enemy.  The  men  slept  in  the  trenches  and  under  arms,  but  to  my 
utter  surprise,  he  permitted  day  after  day  to  elapse,  without  an  assault. 

In  a  few   days,  the   object    of   his  delay  was  apparent.     In  every 


503 

direction,  in  front  of  our  lines,  through  the  intervening  woods,  and 
along  the  open  fields,  earthworks  began  to  appear.  Through  the  ener- 
getic action  of  the  government,  re-inforcements  began  to  pour  in, 
and  each  hour,  the  army  of  the  Peninsula  grew  stronger  and  stronger, 
until  anxiety  passed  from  my  mind,  as  to  the  result  of  an  attack  upon 
us. 

The  enemy's  skirmishers  pressing  us  closely  in  front  of  Yorktown, 
Brigadier  General  Early,  ordered  a  sortie  to  be  made  from  the  re- 
doubts for  the  purpose  of  dislodging  him  from  Palraentary's  peach 
orchard.  This  was  eftected  in  the  most  gallant  manner  by  the  2nd 
Florida,  Colonel  Ward,  and  2nd  Mississippi  battalion.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Taylor,  all  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Ward.  The  quick 
and  reckless  charge  of  our  men,  by  throwing  the  enemy  into  a  hasty 
flight,  enabled  us  to  effect,  with  little  loss,  an  enterprise  of  great 
hazard  against  a  superior  force,  supported  by  artillery,  when  the  least 
wavering  or  hesitation,  on  our  part,  would  have  been  attended  with 
great  loss. 

The  Warwick  line,  upon  which  we  rested,  may  be  briefly  described 
as  follows  : 

Warwick  river  rises  very  near  York  river,  and  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  to  the  right  of  Yorktown.  Yorktown  and  redoubts  Nos.  4  and  5, 
united  by  long  curtains,  and  flanked  by  rifle-pits  from  the  left  of  the 
line,  until  at  the  commencement  of  the  military  road,  it  reaches  War- 
wick river,  here  a  sluggish  and  boggy  stream,  twenty  cfr  thirty  yards 
wide,  and  running  through  a  dense  wood  fringed  by  swamps. 

Along  this  river  are  five  dams,  one  at  Wynne's  mill  and  one  at 
Lee's  mill,  and  three  constructed  by  myself.  The  effect  of  these  dams 
is  to  back  up  the  water  along  the  course  of  the  river,  so  that  nearly 
three-fourths  of  its  distance  its  passage  is  impracticable  for  either 
artillery  or  infantry.  Each  of  these  dams  is  protected  by  artillery 
and  extensive  earthworks  for  infantry. 

After  eleven  days  of  examination,  the  enemy  seems  very  properly 
to  have  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  Dam  No.  1,  the  center  of  our 
line,  was  the  weakest  point  in  it,  and  hence  on  the  16th  April,  he 
made  what  seems  to  have  been  a  serious  effort  to  break  through  at  that 
point. 

Early  on  that  morning  he  opened,  at  that  dam,  a  most  furious  at- 
tack of  artillery,  filling  the  woods  with  shells,  while  his  sharpshooters 
pressed  forward  close  to  our  lines. 

From  9  A.  M.,  to  12  M.,  six  pieces  were  kept  in  constant  fire 
against  us,  and  by  3  P.  ^I.,  nearly  three  batteries  were  directing  a 
perfect  storm  of  shot  and  shell  on  our  exposed  position.  We  had  only 
three  pieces  in  position  at  that  point,  but  two  of  them  could  not  be 
used  with  effect,  and  were  rarely  fired,  so  that  we  were  constrained  to- 
reply  with  only  one  G-pounder,  of  the  Troupe  Artillery,  Cobb's  Geor- 
gia legion.  Captain  Stanley,  unfler  the  particular  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Pope. 

This  piece  was  served  Avith  the  greatest  accuracy  and  effect,  and  by 
the  coolness  and  skill  with  which  it  was  handled,  the  great  odds 
against  us  were  almost  counterbalanced. 


504 

By  3.30  P.  M.,  tlie  intensity  of  the  cannonading  increasing,  heavy, 
masses  of  infantry  commenced  to  deploy  in  our  front,  and  a  heavy 
musketry  fire  was  opened  upon  us.  Under  the  cover  of  this  continu- 
ous stream  of  fire,  an  effort  was  made  by  the  enemy  to  throw  forces 
over  the  stream  and  storm  our  six-pounder  battery,  which  was  inflict- 
ing such  damage  upon  them. 

This  charge  was  very  rapid  and  vigorous,  and  ■'before  our  men  were 
prepared  to  receive  it,  several  companies  of  a  Vermont  regiment  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  across  and  occupying  the  rifle-pits  of  the  15th  N.  C 
volunteers,  who  were  some  hundred  yards  to  the  rear,  throwing  up  a 
work  for  the  protection  of  their  camp. 

This  regiment  immediately  sprang  to  arms,  and  engaged  the  enemy 
with  spirit,  under  the  lead  of  their  brave  but  unfortunate  commander, 
McKinney,  and  aided  by  the  16th  Georgia  regiment,  repulsed  the 
enemy  ;  but  when  tlie  gallant  ^McKinney  fell,  a  temporary  confusion 
ensued,  which  was  increased  by  an  unauthorized  order  to  fall  back. 
The  enemy  renewed  the  attack  with  great  force. 

At  this  moment,  the  7th  and  8th  Georgia,  under  command  of  Cols. 
Wilson  and  Lamar,  respectively,  the  left  of  the  16th  Georgia,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Goode  Bryan,  and  the  two  companies  of  Captains 
Martin  and  Burke,  of  the  2d  Louisiana,  under  Colonel  Norwood,  ac- 
companied by  the  15th  North  Carolina,  with  fixed  bayonets  and  the 
steadiness  of  veterans,  charged  the  rifle-pits  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  them  with  great  slaughter. 

Colonel  Anderson,  commanding  his  brigade,  and  the  commanding 
officers  of  the  troops  above  mentioned,  deserve  great  praise  for  the 
promptness  with  Avhich  they  rushed  to  the  conflict  and  repelled  this 
serious  attempt  of  the  enemy. 

Subsequently,  the  enemy  massed  heavier  bodies  of  troops  and  again 
approached  the  stream.  It  was  evident  that  a  most  serious  and  ener- 
getic attack,  in  large  force,  was  being  made  to  break  our  center,  un- 
der, it  is  believed,  the  immediate  eye  of  McClellan  himself;  but 
Brigadier  General  Howell  Cobb,  who  was  in  command  at  that  point, 
forming  the  2d  Louisiana,  7th  and  8th  Georgia,  of  Colonel  Ander- 
son's brigade,  the  15th  North  Carolina,  14th  Georgia  and  Cobb's  le- 
gion in  line  of  battle  on  our  front,  received  the  attack  with  great 
firmness,  and  the  *enomy  recoiled,  with  loss,  from  the  steady  fire  of 
'Our  troops  before  reaching  the  middle  of  the  water, 

Brigadier  General  McLaws,  commanding  the  2d  division,  of  which 
Cobb's  command  formed  a  part,  hearing  the  serious  firing,  hastened  to 
the  scene  of  action,  and  exhibited  great  coolness  and  judgment  in  his 
-arrangements.  The  10th  Louisiana,  15th  Virginia,  a  part  of  the 
17th  Miss.,  and  the  11th  Alabama,  were  ordered  up  as  reserves,  and 
were  placed  in  position,  the  10th  Louisiana  marching  to  its  place  with 
the  accuracy  of  a  parade  drill.  The  other  regiments  were  assigned 
positions  out  of  the  range  of  fire.       * 

In  addition.  General  McLaAvs  placed  the  whole  of  his   division  un- 
der arms,  ready  to  move  as  circumstances  might  require. 
-     Colonel  Anderson  had  led  two   of  his  regiments,   the  7th  and  8th 
'Ajeorgia,  into  action,  and  held  two  others  in  reserve,  while  Brigadier 


505 

General  Toombs  advanced  with  his  own  brigade,  under  the  immediate 
command  of  Brigadier  General  Serames,  close  to  the  scene  of  action, 
and  by  my  order,  (4iaving  just  arrived)  placed  two  regiments  of  this 
brigade  in  action,  retaining  the  rest  as  reserves. 

These  dispositions  rendered  our  position  perfectly  secure,  and  the 
enemy  suffering  from  his  two  repulses,  darkness  put  an  end  to  the 
contest. 

The  dispositions  of  General  McLaws  were  skilfully  made.  His 
whole  bearing  and  conduct  is  deserving  of  the  highest  commendation. 
I  cannot  designate  all  the  many  gallant  ofRocrs  and  privates  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves,  and  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  the  com- 
manding general  to  the  accompanying  reports  ;  but  I  would  fail  to  do 
my  duty,  if  I  did  not  specially  mention  some  particular  instances. 
Brigadier  General  Cobb,  commanding  at  this  point,  exhibited  through- 
out the  day  the  greatest  courage  and  skill,  and  when  once,  at  a  criti- 
cal moment,  some  troops  in  his  line  of  battle  wavered,  he  in  person 
rallied  the  troops  under  a  terrible  fire,  and  by  his  voice  and  example, 
entirely  re-established  their  steadiness. 

Brigadier  General  Toombs  had  in  the  morning,  by  my  order,  de- 
tached from  his  division  Colonel  Anderson's  brigade  to  support  Brig- 
adier General  Cobb,  and  late  in  the  evening,  when  ordered  forward  by 
me,  promptly  and  energetically  led  the  remainder  of  his  command  un- 
der tire,  arriving  just  before  the  enemy  ceased  the  vigor  of  his  attack, 
and  in  time  to  share  its  dangers. 

Brigadier  General  P.  J.  Semmes  commanded  Toomb's  brigade,  the 
latter  being  in  command  of  the  division,  and  showed  his  usual  prompt- 
ness and  courage. 

Colonel  Levy,  pf  2d  Louisiana  regiment,  was  the  colonel  command- 
ing at  Dam  No.  1,  and  evinced  judgment,  courage,  and  high  soldierly 
qualities,  in  his  conduct  and  arrangements,  which  I  desire  specially 
to  commend. 

Captain  Stanley  was  in  command  of  two  pieces  of  artillery,  includ- 
ing the  six-pounder,  so  effectively  served.  Both  he  and  liicutenant 
Pope  conducted  themselves  with  skill  and  courage. 

Captain  Jordan's  piece  was  in  a  very  exposed  place,  and  was  soon 
disabled  after  a  few  rounds,  and  was  properly  withdrawn.  Both  he 
and  his  men  exhibited  great  steadiness,  under  the  terrible  fire  which 
swept  over  them. 

The  enemy's  loss,  of  course,  cannot  be  accurately  estimated,  as  the 
greater  part  of  it  occurred  over  on  their  side  of  the  stream,  but  I 
think  it  could  have  scarcely  been  less  than  six  hundred  killed  and 
wounded. 

Our  loss  was  comparatively  trivial,  owing  to  the  earth  works,  which 
covered  our  men,  and  did  not  exceed  seventy-five  in  killed  and 
wounded. 

All  the  rc-inforcements  which /were  on  the  way  to  me,  had  not  yet 
joined  me,  so  that  I  was  unable  to  follow  up  the  action  of  the  16th  of 
April  by  any  decisive  step. 

The  reinforcements  were  accompanied  by  officers  who  ranked  me, 
and  I  ceased  to  command. 


606  • 

I  cannot  too  liiglily  commend  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  my  Avhole  command,  who  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  greatest  hard- 
ships and  deprivations.  From  the  4th  of  April  -to  the  3d  of  May, 
this  army  served  almost  without  relief  in  the  trenches. 

Many  companies  of  artillery  were  never  relieved  during  this  long 
period.  It  rained  almost  incessantly.  The  trenches  were  filled  with 
water  ;  the  weather  was  exceedingly  cold  ;  no  fires  could  be  allowed  ; 
the  artillery  and  infantry  of  the  enemy  played  upon  our  men  almost 
continuously  day  and  night ;  the  army  had  neither  coffee,  sugar,  nor 
hard  bread,  but  subsisted  on  flour  and  salt  meat,  and  that  in  reduced 
quantities ;  and  yet  no  murmurs  were  heard.  Their  gallant  com- 
manders of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  Department  of  Norfolk, 
though  not  so  long  a  time  exposed  to  these  sufferinj^s^  shared  these 
hardships  and  dangers  with  equal  firmness  and  cheerfulnesSx  I  have 
never  seen,  and  I  do  not  belieVe  that  there  ever  has  existed  an  army 
(the  combined  army  of  the  Potomac,  Peninsula  and  Norfolk,)  which 
has  shown  itself,  for  so  long  a  time,  so  superior  to  all  hardships  and 
danger's. 

s  The  best  drilled  regulars  the  world  has  ever  seen,  would  have  mu- 
tinied under  a  continued  service  in  the  trenches  for  twenty-nine  days, 
exposed  every  moment  to  musketry  and  shells,  in  water  to  their  knees, 
without  fire,  sugar  or  coffee,  without  stimulants,  and  with  an  inade- 
quate supply  of  cooked  flour  and  salt  meats.  I  speak  of  this  in  ho- 
nor of  those  brave  men,  whose  patriotism  made  them  indifferent  to 
suffering,  to  disease,  to  danger  and  death.  Indeed  the  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  men  was  such  as  to  deserve  throughout  the  highest  com- 
mendation. ^ 

I  beg  leave  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  department  to  the  reports 
which  accompany  this,  and  to  commend  the  officers  and  men  there 
named  to  the  most  favorable  consideration  of  the  Government. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  publicly  bearing  testimony  to  the 
great  and  devoted  services  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Peninsula,  so  long 
under  my  command,  always  in  the  presence  of  superior  forces  of  the 
enemy.  I  owe  much  of  the  success,  which  attended  my  efi"orts  to  keep 
them  within  the  walls  of  their  fortresses,  to  the  alacrity,  daring,  vigi- 
lance, and  constancy  of  the  3rd  Virginia  cavalry,  and  the  independent 
companies  from  James  City,  Matthews,  Gloucester,  and  King  and 
Queen  counties. 

The  services  rendered  by  the  officers  of  my  staff  have  been  inval- 
uable. To  these  I  owe  my  acknowledgments  :  Captains  Bryan  and 
Dickinson  of  the  Adjutant  General's  Department,  Majors  Magruder 
and  Brent  of  the  commissary  and  ordnance  departments  respectively ; 
Captain  White,  acting  chief  quartermaster;  Colonel  Cabell,  chief  of 
artillery  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cary,  acting  inspector  general ;  Lieu- 
tenant Douglas,  of  the  engineers ;  Lieutenants  Eustis  and  Alston, 
aids-de-camp ;  Dr.  George  W.  Milden,  acting  staff  officer  ;  Mr.  J.  R. 
Bryan,  Mr.  11.  M.  gtanard,  Mr.  D.  T.  Breshear,  and  Mr./  Henry  A. 
Doyce,  who  as  volunteer  aids  have  rendered  most  important  services, 
-  and  to  private  E.  P.  Turner,  of  the  New  Kent  cavalry,  on  duty  some- 
times in  the  field,  at  others  in  the  Assistant  Adjutant  General's  office. 


507 

<My  thanks  are  due  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ball,  of  the  Virginia  cav- 
alry, who  for  several  weeks  during  the  seige  acted  as  a  volunteer  aid. 
His 'conduct  on  the  5th,  in  my  immediate  presence,  and  under  a  severe 
fire  of  the  enemy,  was  very  gallant,  and  worthy  of  the  high  reputation 
which  he  won  at  Manassas. 

I  am  also  greatly  indebted  to  Major  George  Neay,  of  the  115th 
Virginia  Militia,  who  has  aided  me  in  the  administration,  civil  as  well 
as  military,  of  the  affairs  of  the  Peninsula,  and  to  Lieutenants  Joseph 
Phillips  and  Causey,  of  the  Confederate  army.  The  local. knowledge 
of  these  ofiicers  has  been  of  great  advantage  to  the  service,  whilst 
their  intrepidity  and  enterprise  have  been  in  the  highest  degree  con- 
spicuous on  every  occasion. 

I  cannot  express  too  strongly  my  estimate  of  the  services  rendered 
by  my  chief  quartermaster,  Major  Bloomfield.  Soon  after  he  took 
charge,  he  introduced  order,  promptness  and  economy,  in  the  manage- 
ment of  his  department. 

The  scarcity  of  supplies  and  materials  was  so  great  as  to  make  it 
almost  impossible  to  procure  them. 

The  genius,, energy  and  extraordinary  industry  of  Major  Bloom- 
field,  however,  overcame  all  obstacles,  and  enabled  the  army  of  the 
Peninsula  to  move,  to  march,  and  to  fight,  with  the  regularity  of  a 
machine. 

This  statement  is  made  in  justice  to  Major  Bloomfield,  who  is  absent 
on  account  of  sickness,  at  the  time  that  I  write. 

I  ask  the  attention  also  of  the  Government  to  the  valuable  services 
rendered  by  Mr.  Wm.  Morris,  of  Baltimore,  the  signal  officer,  in 
charge  of  the  signal  service  of  the  Peninsula,  and  to  those  of  his  effi- 
cient assistant,  Lieutenant  Lindsay,  of  the  15th  Virginia  regiment. 

It  is  but  just  to  Colonel  Charles  A.  Crump  that  I  should  bear  testi- 
mony to  the  zeal,  gallantry,  and  decided  ability  with  which  he  per- 
formed the  various  duties  of  commander  of  the  post  at  Gloucester 
Point,  during  the  year,  in  which  he  was  under  my  command.  He  Avas 
worthily  supported  on  all  occasions  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  P.  R.  Page, 
and  the  other  officers  and  men  constituting  his  force. 

That  accomplished  officer,  Captain  Thomas  Jefferson  Page  of  the 
Navy,  successfully  applied  the  resources  of  his  genius  and  ripe  expe- 
rience to  the  defence  of  Gloucester  Point,  whilst  the  important  work 
opposite  was  commanded  with  devoted  zeal  and  gallantry  by  Brigadier 
General  Rains. 

My  thanks  are  due  to  Captain  Chatard,  of  the  Navy,  for  valuable 
services  as  inspector  of  batteries,  and  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Noland, 
late  of  the  Navy,  the  efficient  commander  of  the  batteries  at  Mulberry 
Island  Point. 

That  patriotic  and  scientific  soldier.  Colonel  B.  S.  Ewell,  rendered 
important  services  to  tlic  country,  during  my  occupation  of  the  Pen- 
insula, as  did  Colonel  Hill  Carter,  the  commander  at  Jamestown,  and 
his  successor.  Major  J.  11.  C.  Lewis. 

I  should  fail  in  my  duty  to  the  country,  and  especially  to  the  State 
of  Virginba,  if  I  neglected  to  record  the  self-sacri^ng  conduct  of 
Captain  Wm.  Allen,  of  the  artillery.  • 


508 

At  the  very  commencement  of  the  war,  this  gentleman  erected,  fat 
his  own  expense,  on  Jamestown  Island,  extensive  fortifications  for  the 
defence  of  the  river,  and  from  that  time,  until  he  was  driven  from  his 
home,  he  continued  to  apply  the  resources  of  his  large  estate  to  the 
benefit  of  his  country.  And  so  great  and  disinterested  were  his  zeal  and 
devotion  as  an  officer,  that  he  lost  almost  the  whole  of  his  immense 
possessions,  in  endeavoring  to  remove  the  public  property  committed 
to  his  charge,  and  that  of  the  commanding  officers.  I  cannot  commend 
his  conduct  as  an  officer,  too  highly  to  the  government,  nor  his  patriot- 
ism as  a  citizen,  too  warmly  to  the  love  and  respect  of  his  country- 
men. 

To  Captain  Rives,  Captain  St.  John,  Captain  Clarke,  and  Captain 
Dimmock  of  the  Engineers,  and  their  able  assistants,  the  country  is 
greatly  indebted  for  the  formidable  works,  which  enabled  me  to  meet 
and  repulse  with  a  very  small  force,  the  attack  of  an  army  of  over  one 
hundred  thousand  well  drilled  men,  commanded  by  the  best  officers 
in  the  service  of  the  enemy. 

The  steadiness  and  heroism  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  artillery 
of  the  Peninsula,  bo-th  heavy  and  light,  were  very  conspicuous  during 
the  attack  on  the  5th  April,  and  throughout  the  siege  which  followed. 
The  high  state  of  efficiency  of  this  arm  of  the  service  was  mainly  due 
to  Colonel  George  W.  Randolph,  chief  of  artillery  on  my  staff,  who 
applied  to  its  organization,  discipline,  and  preparation  for  the  field, 
the  resources  of  his  great  genius  and  experience. 

To  this  intrepid  officer  and  distinguished  citizen,  the  country  is  in- 
debted for  the  most  valuable  services,  from  the  battle  of  Bethel,  where 
his  artillery  principally  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  day,  to  the 
period  when  he  was  removed  from  my  command  by  promotion.  He 
was  ably  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Colonels  Cabell  and  Brown,  of  the 
same  corps.  The  medical  officers  deserve  the  highest  commendation 
for  the  skill  and  devotion  with  which  they  performed  their  duty  in  this 
sickly  country. 

To  Captain  Ben  Harrison  and  Lieutenant  Hill  Carter,  Jr.,  and  their 
admirable    troop,  the    Charles    City  -cavalry,  I  am  also   indebted  for 
meritorious  services  under  my  own  eye  on  numerous  occasions. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
J.  BANKHEAD  MAGRUDER, 

Major  General. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  McLxVWS,  COMMAND- 
ING DIVISION. 


IIeadquartkrs  2d  DrvisiON, 
Right  Flank  Lee's  Farm,  April  30th,  1862. 

To  Captain  A  G.  Dickinson, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

On  the  16th  inst.,  between  2  and  3  P.  M.,  my  attention  was  at- 
tracted by  an  increase  in  the  intensity  of  fire  which  had  been  heard 
during  the  morning  from  the  direction  of  Dam  No.  1.  Thinking  that 
perhaps  a  real  attack  was  intended  at  that  point,  I  ordered  forward 
the  loth  Louisiana,  15th  Virginia,  and  four  companies  of  the  17th 
Mississippi,  and  rode  towards  the  dam,  ordering  up  on  my  way  the 
11  til  Alabama,  also,  to  act  as  reserve  to  Dam  No.  2,  and  directed  my 
whole  command,  artillery,  infantry  and  dragoons,  to  be  under  arms 
and  ready  to  obey  any  order  at  once.  I  then  joined  General  Cobb. 
The  firing  at  this  time,  from  both  cannon  and  small  arms,  was  very 
heavy  and  constant,  convincing  me  that  the  attack  was  intended  as  a 
real  one,  and  I  became  exceedingly  anxious  for  the  reserves  to  come 
forward,  for  General  Kershaw's  brigade,  of  the  3d,  4th,  7th  and  8th 
S.  C,  were  in  position  some  four  and  a  half  miles  on  my  right,  down 
the  Peninsula,  and  should  the  line  be  broken  at  this  point  of  attack  by 
a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  that  position  would  be  a  critical  one,  and 
Lee's  farm  have  to  be  abandoned,  unless  a  considerable  force  of  our 
troops  were  on  hand  to  oppose  them.  I  heard  from  General  Cobb  that 
General  G.  T.  Anderson's  brigade  had  been  ordered  to  his  support  by 
General  Magrudcr,  and  sent  off  by  Lieutenant  Stanard,  who  offered 
his  services  to  bring  it  forward,  and  sent  others  to  hasten  those  regi- 
ments I  had  previou.'^ly  ordered  up. 

A  body  of  the  enemy  succeeded  in  crossing  the  pond  below  the 
dam,  and  were  in  our  lower  rifle-pits.  Colonel  McKinney,  of  the 
15th  North  Carolina,  was  killed  while  gallantly  leading  his  regiment 
to  repulse  them.  His  death  and  the  sudden  dash  of  the  enemy  cre- 
ated some  confusion,  which  was,  however,  promptly  corrected  by  Gen. 
Cobb,  who,  riding  in  among  the  men,  they  reccognized  his  voice  and 
person,  and  promptly  retook  their  positions.  Colonel  Anderson's 
brigade,  at  this  time,  came  forward  most    opportunely,   and  the  7th 


510 

Georgia,  Colonel  Wilson,  followed  by  the  Stli,  Colonel  L.  M.  Lamar, 
charoring  the  enemy  with  the  bayonet,  and  assisted  by  the  5th  Louisi- 
ana and  others,  drove  them  back  across  the  pond,  killing  a  large  num- 
ber. A  few  minutes  after  this,  one  of  the  artillery  pieces  was  reported 
as  disabled,  and  I  ordered  up  a  section  of  Captain  Palmer's  battery, 
which  was  in  reserve  on  Lee's  farm,  and  Captain  Thos.  Jeff.  Page,  of 
the  Magruder  Light  Artillery,  being  near  me,  offered  his  battery,  and 
[directed  him  to  bring  it.  Soon  after  this,  the  regiments  I  had  or- 
dered forward  came  rapidly  up.  The  10th  Louisiana,  Colonel  Marig- 
ny,  was  ordered  to  the  main  point  of  attack,  and  the  others  halted 
within  a  few  hundred  yards.  Captain  Page's  and  Captain  Palmer's 
batteries  came  dashing  forward  at  full  speed,  and  I  felt  my  posi- 
tion secure.  The  firing  ceased  as  night  came  on,  and  the  assault  was 
not  renewed. 

I  refer  you  to  the  reports  of  General  Cobb  and  of  Colonels  Levy, 
Bryan,  T.  R.  11.  Cobb,  Lamar  and  Wilson,  and  of  Captain  Stanley,  of 
the  Troupe  Artillery,  Cobb's  legion,  accompanying  this,  for  further 
particulars,  and  for  their  notice  of  individual  merit.  In  the  death  of 
Colonel  McKinney,  the  service  has  lost  one  who  was  pure  in  all  his 
thoughts  and  just  in  all  his  acts.  A  brave  and  skillful  officer,  who,  in 
his  death  as  in  his  life,  reflected  honor  upon  both  his  native  and 
his  adopted  State,  and  illustrated  the  Christian  gentleman. 

Major  James  M,  Goggin,  A.  A.  and  Inspector  General,  Major  A. 
H.  McLaws,  Dr.  Master,  Captain  Mcintosh,  A.  A.  General,  and 
Lieutenant  Tucker,  Aid-de-Camp,  were  with  me  and  were  of  signal 
service.  Very  respectfully, 

T.  McLAWS, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  WILLIAM  M.  LEVY. 


Camp  of  2nd  Louisiana  Regiment  Vols.,  ) 

Dam  Nr.    1,  Jpril  \8(h,  18G2.  } 

To  Captain  James  Bann, 

Assistant  Adjutant  Gen'ral  Brigade  : 

Sir:  On  the  IGtli  inst.,  at  about  8  o'clock,  A.  M.,  tlie  enemy  ap- 
peared in  considerable  force  in  the  woods,  and  rear  portion  of  Gan- 
non's field,  opposite  the  position  occupied  by  the  2d  Louisiana  regi- 
ment. In  a  few  minutes,  two  pieces  of  artillery  were  put  in  position, 
and  opened  a  fire  of  shell  upon  us.  This  was  briskly  replied  to  by 
the  G-pounder  field-piece  of  the  Troupe  artillery,  belonging  to  Colonel 
Cobb's  Georgia  Legion,  and  by  a  few  shots  from  the  12-pjunder  how- 
itzer (Capt.  Jordan's  battery).  During  the  morning,  and  up  to  about 
3  o'clock,  sharp  artillery  firing  was  kept  up  on  both  sides,  and  the  in- 
fantry were  engaged  in  skirmishing  at  pretty  long  range. 

A  little  after  3  o'clock,  the  enemy  brought  up  more  artillery,  and 
displayed  6  pieces  (2  rifled  Parrot)  and  opened  a  furious  cannonade, 
which  they  kept  up  with  scarcely  the  slightest  intermission  for  three 
hours.  While  showering  their  shell  upon  us,  a  bold  rush  was  made 
across  the  river,  or  creek,  by  a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy's  in- 
fantry, who  suddenly  dashed  through  the  water,  and,  under  cover  of 
the  wood-?,  reached  the  rifle-pits,  in  front  of  the  position  of  the  l5th 
North  Carolina  regiment.  This  regiment,  with  the  exception  of  its 
picket,  was  at  work,  entrenching  its  camp;  and  while  leading  bis  men 
to  charge  the  enemy.  Colonel  McKinney  f  jll  and  died  instantly,  gal- 
lantly pressing  forward  at  the  head  of  his  command.  The  unfortu- 
nate death  of  Colonel  McKinney  threw  the  loth  into  momentary 
confusion,  and  the  enemy  was  then  at  the  rifle-pits,  and  about  to  cross 
them.  At  this  time,  companies  B,  (Capt,  A,  11.  Martin,)  an<l  D,  (Capt. 
ii.  E.  Burke),  of  the  2d  Louisiana  regiment  under  the  direction  of 
Major  Norwood,  of  that  regiment,  threw  themselves  from  their  posi- 
tion at  the  redoubt  and  curtain  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  and  attacked 
the  enemy  along  the  left  of  the  rifle-pits,  Avhilc  the  7th  Georgia  vigo- 
rously attacke<l  them  along  the  rest  of  the  line,  and  the  8th  Georgia 
came  up  on  the  right  of  the.  7th  Georgia,  Company  I,  (Capt.  Flour- 
noy,)  and  company  K,  (Capt.  Keko,)  2d  Louisiana  regiment,  stationed 
at  the  lower  redoubt  (near  Dam  No.    1,)  opened  fire    up  n  the  enemy 


512 

from  their  position,  at  the  redoubt.  The  rapid  and  vigorous  attack  of 
our  troops,  at  once  checked  the  enemy,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  thej 
precipitately  retreated,  recrossed  the  creek  and  sought  shelter  from 
the  havoc  which  pursued  them,  under  cover  of  their  field-piecesi 

Shortly  afterwards,  the  movements  of  the  enemy  showed,  that  with 
a  larger  force,  they  intended  to  renew  their  effort  to  break  our  lines  ; 
and  with  a  largely  increased  force,  they  again  attempted  to  cross,  but 
were  speedily  repulsed,  retreating  in  disorder.  I  have  no  means  of 
ascertaining  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  but  from  the  bodies  left  on  this  side,  and  the  removal  from  the 
field  on  the  other  side,  of  bodies,  I  am  satisfied  that  it  must  have 
amounted  to  at  least  two  hundred. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning,  that  as  falling  under  m}'  imme- 
diate observation,  while  the  conduct  of  all  our  troops  was  most  satis- 
factory, the  7th  Georgia  regiment,  the  section  of  the  Troupe  Artillery, 
(Capt.  Stanley),  and  the  companies  of  the  "id  Louisiana  regiment, 
which  I  have  enumerated,  manifested  the  most  praiseworthy  alacrity 
and  intrepidity. 

After  this  second  repulse,  the  enemy  retired  their  infantry  frOm  the 
field,  and  night  corning  on,  the  contest  ceased,  leaving  us  in  full  pos- 
session of  our  position,  from  which  we  had  not  moved,  except  to  drive 
back  and  pursue  the  enemy,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  pleasing 
knowledge,  that  we  had  repulsed  a  foe,  largely  exceeding  us  in 
numbers. 

I  have  the  honor,  to  remain.  Sir, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  M.  LEVY, 
Colonel  commanding  2d  La.  regiment  and  Dam  No.  1 . 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  GOODE  BRYAN. 


Bivouac  Sat,l:e  Ferigt/s,  ^ 

16th  Georgia  Reg't,  > 

April  19,  1862.      ) 

Captain  John  A.  Cobb, 

A.  A.  General : 

Sin  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  morning  of  the  16th^. 
under  orders  from  headquarters  2d  brigade,  company  D,  (Captain 
Montgomery,)  of  this  regiment,  was  sent  to  rifle  pits  of  15th  North 
Carolina  regiment  to  act  as  sharp-shooters,  and  protect  a  working  par- 
ty of  that  regiment.  About  half-p-ist  three  o"ckick  heavy  firing  be- 
ing heard  in  that  direction,  the  16th  Georgia  regiment  advanced  and 
took  position  in  the  trenches,  on  the  right  of  the  battery  opposite 
"Dam  No.  1,  at  which  point  a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  had 
crossed,  and  occupied  our  rifle-pits.  Tliey  were  soon  driven  back 
across  this  by  the  15th  North  Carolina,  7th  Georgia,  and  a  portion  of 
the  16th  Georgia  regiments,  stationed  near  the  dam.  A  heavy  fire  • 
was  kept  up  by  the  North  Carolina,  7th  and  16th  Georgia  regiments, 
until  dark,  at  which  time  the  enemy  retired.  I  cannot  close  this  re- 
port without  an  expression  of  great  gratification  in  the  coolness  and 
gallantry  displayed  by  both  officers  and  men  of  my  command  daring 
the  engagement,  and  particular  mention  should  b«  ma<le  of  (Captain 
Montgomery,  of  company  D,  Being  down  from  the  rifle  pits  with  only 
three  of  his  men  (the  others  being  deployed  as  skirmishers)  he  give 
warning  to  the  15th  North  Carolina  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 
and  joining  that  regiment,  witli  the  few  men  of  his  company  that  could 
ibe  collected,  charged  with   that  command  and  drove  the  enemy  from. 

heir  pits. 

I  am,  sir. 

Your  obedient  servant. 

GOODE  BRYAN, 

33  Colonel  Xath  Giorgia  Regiment,. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  IIIUE. 


Headquarters  Iotii  Reg't  N.  C.  V.,  ^ 

Near  Lee's  Farm,  > 

Jpril  19,  1S62.      ) 

John  A.  Cobb, 

A.  A.  General: 

■I  hereby  transmit  a  report  of  the  action  of  the  loth  North  Caroli- 
na volunteers,  in  the  engagement  of  the  16th  instant,  near  Dam  No. 
1,  on  Warwick  creek. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  cannonoding  along  the  line  towards 
Wynn's  Mill,  and  also  some  of  the  enemy's  guns  being  brought  to 
bear  upon  our  batteries  at  Dam  No.  1,  and  as  the  day  progressed, 
other  indications  of  an  attack  by  the  enemy  upon  our  line,  induced 
Colonel  McKinney  to  call  the  regiment  into  line,  on  the  military  road, 
running  in  front  of  where  the  regiment  was  lying. 

About  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  calling  in  a  working  party  of  a  hundred 
men,  and  keeping  the  regiment  in  this  state  of  readiness,  for  two 
hours  or  more,  he  ordered  the  arms  stacked,  and  had  the  whole  regi- 
ment detailed  for  work  upon  a  heavy  entrenchment,  which  he  had  been 
ordered  to  have  erected  in  front  of  tlie  encampment,  and  about  two 
hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  rifle  pits,  skirting  the  water  thrown 
back  by  Dam  No.  1,  making  arrangements  for  carrying  on  the  work 
the  whole  of  the  ensuing  night.  Our  pickets  were  in  front  of  the 
rifle  pits,  close  along  the  water's  edge.  From  the  best  information  I 
have,  at  the  point  the  enemy  cliarged,  the  depth  of  the  water  was 
about  four  feet,  and  its  width  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hun- 
dred yards,  and  covered  with  heavy  timber  and  thick  undergrowth. 

About  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  regiment  being  engaged  upon  the 
•works  alluded  to,  the  pickets  gave  the  alarm  that  the  enemy  were 
'Charging  rapidly  across  the  water,  and  making  to  our  rifle  pits.  The 
regiment  was  immediately  thrown  in  line  of  battle,  and  being  ordered 
■by  Colonel  McKinney,  advanced  at  a  double-quick  and  with  a  yell 
upon  the  enemy,  who  had  taken  partial  shelter  behind  the  earth  thrown 
from  our  pits,  before  the  regiment  could  reach  them,  and  opened  a 
•terrible  fire  upon  u.s,  as  we  advanced.      Their  fire  was  returned  .with 


515 

pToraptncss,  and  with  deadly  cftect  upon  the  enemy.  Vollej  after 
^'X)lley  in  rapid  succession,  immediately  followed  from  both  sides, 
amidst  which  Colonel  McKinney  _2;allantly  fell,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  engagement,  shot  through  the  fjrchead.  He  fell  near  the  center 
of  the  line,  and  his  death  was  not  known  to  either  oflicers  or  men  for 
some  time  after  it  occurred,  and  a  deadly  fire  was  kept  up  by  both 
sides  till  about  five  o'clocdv,  P.  M. 

Not  knowing  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  at  the  coramen'.'cmcnt  of 
the  engagement.  Colonel  McKinney  dispatched  an  orderly  to  Briga- 
dier General  Cobb  for  reinforcements,  and  after  having  been  eno-acc-d 
in  close  conflict,  the  enemy  having  given  way  on  our  right,  the  7th 
Georgia  regiment,  under  Colonel  Wilson,  came  to  our  assistance,  and 
at  this  moment  the  enemy  gave  way  in  precipitate  retreat,  and  did  not 
again  rally  at  any  point  on  our  line. 

The  regiment  had  about  five  hundred  men  engaged.  I  have  no 
means  of  definitely  ascertaining  the  force  of  the  enemy,  but  it  must 
have  been  superior  to  ours.  Prisoners  report  that  tliey  belonged  to 
the  3d  Vermont  regiment,  commindod  by  Colonel  Hyde.  We  cap- 
tured eight  of  them.  The  number  of  killed  of  the  enemy,  in  front  of 
where  the  regiment  was  engaged,  has  been  ascertained  to  be  thirty. 
How  many  fell  in  the  water  is  not  known.  Our  loss  in  killed  is  as 
follows  : 

Colonel  R.  M.  McKinney. 

Privates  Wm.  Yandles,  of  company  B,  Joseph  Tonery  and  Wm. 
Finch,  of  company  D,  and  Francis  Gilbert,  of  company  F;  sergeant 
H.  M.  Clendenin  and  privates  Elmsley  Steel  and  Hardy  Wood,  of 
company  H,  private  J.  H.  Parker,  of  company  I,  private  Wm.  Boon, 
of  company  K,  and  privates  J.  S.  Foushee  and  M.  H.  Bennett,  of 
company  K,  making  in  all  twelve  men. 

The  wounded  are  as  follows  : 

Captain  Samuel  T.  Stanjell,  of  company  A,  sergeant  A.  V.  Helms, 
mortally ;  corporal  B.  G.  Coon  and  privates  Tliouias  Mills,  (since 
dead,)  Francis  Cuthbertson,  W.  C.  Wolf  and  F.  R.  Barcmnn.  of  com- 
pany B  ;  private  Joseph  Downs,  (since  dead.)  of  company  D  ;  pri- 
vate John  Sherrod,  of  company  E  ;  privates  Wm.  A.  Avera  and  Jno. 
McDonald,  and  Francis  ^Morrison,  of  company  F  ;  private  Samuel  D. 
Gordon,  of  company  G  ;  privates  W,  G.  .C.  Bradshav,  C.  0.  McMur- 
rey,  John  T.  Ray,  W.  H.  Guthrie  and  Fred.  R.  Marzo,  of  company 
H;  private  R.  S.  Green,  of  company  I;  2d  Lieutenant  J.  J.  Reid, 
sergeants  R.  W.  Thomas,  S.  H.  Griffin  and  J.  B.  Armstrong  ;  corpo- 
rals John  Dillard  and  Wm,  Thompson,  (since  dead) ;  privates  8.  R. 
llilliard,  J.  W.  T.  Melton,  J.  W.  Bates  and  J.  H.  Freeman,  of  com- 
l»any  K  ;  2d  Lieutenant  J.  L.  Merritt  and  private  S.  M.  Riggshee,  of 
company  K,  making  in  all  thirty-one. 

1  regret  that  I  cannot  make  a  more  detailed  report  of  the  engage- 
ment and  its  incidents',  under  present  circumstances. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  commendation  of  the  gallant  bearing 
of  both  officers  and.  men.  uJider  a  terrific  fire  of  musketry  for  the 
space  of  two  hours,  and  the  fate  of  the  gallant  dead  call  the  living  to 
other  deeds  of  daring  for  their  country's  cause. 


516 

It  is  with  peculiarly  deep  feelings  of  regret  that  I  report  the  death 
of  Colonel  Robert  M.  McKinney,  a  conscientious,  brave,  just  and 
skilful  officer,  and  a  Christian  gentleman. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

P.  R.  IHUE, 
I  Lieutenant  Colonel ^  commanding. 

To  Brigadier  General  Howell  Cobb, 

Commanding  2d  Brigade,  2d  Division. 
H.  A.  DowD,  Adft. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  H.  C.  CABELL. 


May  10th,  1862. 

To  Major  General  J.  B.  Magruder, 

General  : — I  have  tha  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
artillery  under  my  command,  from  the  5th  of  April,  till  the  evacuation 
of  the  Peninsula.  Our  line  of  defence  consisted  of  the  fortifications 
at  Yorktown,  the  redoubts,  Nos.  4  and  5,  near  Yovktown,  and  the  line 
of  the  head  waters  of  "\yarwick  river  and  the  Warwick  river  itself. 
The  narrow  Peninsula,  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Warwick  and 
James  rivers,  was  abandoned  up  to  a  point  about  five  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  Warwick  river,  and  at  this  point,  called  Minor's  farm,  a  se- 
ries of  redoubts,  extending  from  the  right  bank  of  this  river,  nearly 
to  IMulberry  island  fort,  were  constructed  to  check  any  assault  of  the 
enemy  upon  our  right  flanlc,  coming  up  by  the  way  of  Land's  End. 
The  Warwick  river  had  also  obstructions  placed  in  it  to  prevent  the 
approach  of  the  enemy's  gunboats  up  this  river,  and  we  were  further 
protected  by  our  gunboat  Teazer,  which  was  placed  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Warwick.  From  the  jtopography  of  the  ground  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  occupy  the  whole  of  this  line  in  the  then  condition 
of  our  forces.  Our  forces  were  so  few  in  number  that  it  was  essen- 
tial to  the  safety  of  the  command,  that  the  whole  should  be  defended, 
as  the  breaking  of  our  lines  at  any  point  would  necessarily  have  been 
attended  by  the  most  disastrous  results  ;  the  center  broken  or  our 
■flank  turned,  compelling  a  precipitate  retreat  to  Yorktown  or  Mul- 
berry island,  to  stand  a  siege  of  the  enemy's  land  force,  as- 
sisted by  the  whole  naval  force,  with  but  little  prospect  of  relief  or 
reinforcements,  when  the  enemy  occupied  the  intermediate  coui.  try. 
The  left  bank  of  the  York  river  was  protected  by  the  fortifications  at 
Gloucester  point.  The  force  of  infantry  was  very  small.  The  cavalry 
consisted  of  one  and  a  half  regiments.  The  artillery  force  was  very 
large.  *  Heavy  guns  were  mounted  at  Gloucester  point,  at  Yorktown, 
at  redoubt  No.  4,  and  at  Mulberry  island.  From  deserters,  prisoner.'* 
and  other  sources,  we  were  convinced  tliat  the  enemy  was  advancing 
in  very  large  force.  lie  had  been  collecting  his  troops,  and  muni- 
tions of  war  for  several  weeks,  and  it  was  certain  that  he  would  com- 
mence his  march,  with  a  vastly  superior  force.  Our  advanced  regi- 
ments retired  before  the  enemy,  according  to  orders,  and  took  their 
positions  upon  and  in  rear  of  the  Warwick  river  line,  in  perfect  order. 
Reinforcements  had  been  promised  us  from  Richmond,  and  the  deter- 


518 

mination  of  the  commanding  general  to  defend  the  position  against 
assault,  met  the  cordial  approval  and  co-operation  of  the  army  of 
the  Pen'nsula.  Three  roads  led  up  from  the  Peninsula  and  crossed 
the  line  of  our  defences.  The  first  on  our  right  was  the  War\Yick 
road,  that  crossed  at  Lee's  mill.  The  second  crossed  at  Wynne's 
mill,  and  the  third  was  commanded  bjMhc  redoubts,  Nos.  4  and  5,  near 
Yorktown.  The  crossing  at  Lee'a  mill  was  naturally  strong,  and  for- 
tifications had  been  erected  there  and  at  Wynne's  mill.  Below  Lee's 
mill  the  Warwick  river,  affected  by.  the  tides  and  assisted  by  swamps 
on  each  side,  formed  a  tolerable  protection,  but  the  marshes  could 
easily  be  made  passable  and  the  river  bridged.  Between  Lee's  mill 
and  Wynne's  mill,  an  unbroken  forest  extended  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  stream,  a  distance  of  about  three  miles.  Two  additional  dams 
were  constructed,  the  one,  dam  No.  1,  nearest  to  Wynne's  mill,  the 
outer  dam  No.  2.  ^ 

A  dam,  called  the  upper  dam,  was  constructed  in  the  stream  above 
Wynne's  mill.  This  detailed  description  of  the  line  of  defence  seems 
necessary  to  explain  the  positions  of  the  artillery  of  the  Peninsula. 
The  whole  force  of  artillery  were  placed  in  position.    Captain  Young's 

battery  and  a  portion  of  Major —  batlery,   occupied  Minor's 

farm,  A  12-pounder  of  Captain  Cosnihan's  and  a  Parrott  piece  of 
Captain  San:ls',  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Ritter,  were  placed 
in  the  extreme  right  redoubt  at  Lee's  mill,  the  battery  under  the 
charge  of  Captain  (josnihan.  Captain  Sands'  three  pieces  and  Captaia 
Garrett's  and  Read's  battery,  eacii  consisting  of  three  pieces,  occupied 
the  remaining  positions  at  Lee's  mill.  One  gun  of  Captain  Nelson's 
battery,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Nelson,  was  placed  at 
dam  No.  1.  (The  Donaldsouville  battery)  6  pieces.  Captain  Moran, 
Captain  Macon's  battery,  (the  Fayette  Artillery)  6  pieces,  thi-ee 
pieces  of  the  ITowitzors,  Captain  Herdnall,  and  a  portion  of  Captain 
Southall's  battery,  were  stationed  at  Wynne's  mill.  A  piece  of  Capt. 
Herdnall's.and  a  piece  of  Captain  Southairs  artillery  were  placed  at 
the  upper  dam.  Captains  Smith's,  Armistead's,  Richardson's  and 
Page's,  and  the  remaining  pieces  of  Captain  Nelson's  and  Southall's 
batteries,  occupied  positions  at  redoubts  Nos.  4  and  o,  the  curtain 
connecting  these  redoubuS,  Yorktown  and  the  intermediate  posi- 
tions. The  enemy  came  up  and  opened  fire  upon  the  morning  of  the 
3th  of  April.  From  that  time  till  our  evacuation  of  the  Peninsula, 
the  firing  was  continued  with  slight  intermissions.  I  have  been  thus 
particular  in  noticing  the  batteries  in  position  on  the  oth  of  April, 
because  I  think  it  due  to  all  who  first  stare  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
in  force  at  least  seven  times  greater  than  ours,  and  confident  in  supe- 
rior numbers,  should  have  a  place  in  this  report.  It  is  a  tribute  due 
to  their  courage,  firmness  and  patriotic  purpose  to  defend  our  position 
to  the  last,  no  matter  in  what  superior  numbers  he  should  come.  The 
defence  was  gallantly  and  most  successfully  made,  and  our  pieces  all 
along  the  line  from  Minor's  farm  to  Yorktown  were  fired  at  the  enemy. 
My  duties  called  me  along  the  whole  lines,  and  I  can  bear  willing  tes- 
timony to  the  bravery  of  the  infantry  and  cavalry,  all  of  whom  were 
acting  as  skirmishers  along  the  line.     Wherever  the  enemy  appeared,, 


519 

and  they  appeared  all  along  the  lines,  our  muskets  and  artillery 
opened  upon  them.  The  enemy,  after  a  few  days,  seemed  to  change 
their  purpose  of  breaking  our  lines  by  assault,,  and  commenced  to 
erect  batteries  in  front  of  our  linos^  ^-f hey  seemed  determined  to 
forego  the  gallant  charge  and  resort  to  the  spade  and  their  rifled  guns, 
under  the  cover  of  entrenchments,  to  dislodge  us  from  our  position. 
No  other  course  afforded  a  more  ennobling  tribute  to  our  small  force, 
or  a  more  damaging  slur  npon  the  boasted  arrogance  of  the  enera.y. 
On  the  16th  of  April,  General  McClellan  laid  aside  his  "ill-timed 
prudence,"  and  ventured  an  assault  at  dam  No,  1,  one  of  the  weakest 
positions  on  our  line.  It  w^as  of  great  danger  and  of  consummate 
importance  to  us.  A  small  clearing  in  the  woods  had  bfecn  made  on 
one  side,  opening  upon  a  large  field  upon  the  other.  The  cleared  space 
did  not  permit  us  to  employ  but  few  guns  at  this  position. 

The  enemy  had  erected  three  batteries,  and  opened  upon  us  with  a 
converging  fire  of  sixteen  guns.  A  24-pound  howitzer  of  Captain 
Endors'  battery,  occupied  the  front  and  most  exposed  position,  imme- 
diately at  dam  No.  1.  Two  pieces  of  the  Troupe  artillery,  (Captain 
Stanley.)  occupied  positions  at  the  left  and  right  redoubts,  about  two 
hundred  yards  to  the  rear  upon  rising  ground.  The  enemy  made  an 
assault  in  force  upon  tiiis  position  and  attempted  to  cross.  I 
refer  to  the  reports  of  Captain  Stanley  and  Captain  Jordan  for  a 
detailed  account  of  their  conduct  in  the  fight.  The  charge  was  sig- 
nally repulsed  by  our  infantry.  Our  artillery  did  all  that  could  be 
done  in  sustaining  our  infantry  force,  and  dispersing  the  enemy.  It 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  bear  tribute  to  the  alacrity  with  which  Cap- 
tain Page  and  Captain  Palmer  hurried  up  to  this  position  when  sent 
for  by  me.  It  was  a  critical  point  in  the  engagement,  but  by  the 
daring  assaults  of  our  infantry,  the  enemy  were  quickly  dispersed, 
before  their  guns  could  be  brought  up.  After  this  signal  repulse,  no 
further  assault  was  made  on  our  lines.  But  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was 
incessant  from  artillery  and  musketry.  During  this  time  our  artillery 
had  to  be  changed  frequently  at  dam  No.  1.  This  position  was  occu- 
pied by  four  pieces  of  Captain  Rosser's  battery.  Captain  Kichardson's 
battery,  a  section  of  Captain  Palmer's  howitzers,  and  a  section  of 
Captain  Rogers' battery,  at  the  redoubt  to  the  right  of  dam  No.  1. 
The  positions  of  the  artillery  had  also  to  be  shifted  at  ot  er  points, 
all  these  movements  were  made  at  night,  necessarily. 

I  was  much  indebted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  for  his  disposi- 
tion of  the  batteries  of  the  left  flank.  His  report  will  give  a  more 
detailed  account  of  these  batteries,  as  my  supervision  over  them 
ceased  upon  the  arrival  of  General  Pendleton,  chief  of  artillery,  on 
General  Johnston's  stafi",  and  was  confined  necessarily  to  the  command 
of  Major  General  Magruder.  Up  to  that  time  I  witnessed  the  courage 
and  skill  they  displayed.  Captain  Stanard's  battery  arrived,  and  was 
placed  in  position  below  Lee's  mill,  on  the  Sth  of  April,  Captain 
Kemper's  battery  arrived  a  few  days  after,  and  was  also  put  in  position. 

From  the  5th  April   to  the  of  ,  many  of  our   batteries 

were  not  once  relieved.     Until  reserves  came,  relief  was  impossible, 
yet  officers  and  men  exhibited  as  much  perseverance  amiability  to  bear 


520 

exposure  and  labor  without  murmur,  as  they  did  courage  in  resisting 
the  eneray.  Our  defences,  Avhich  -were  as  strong  as  they  could  be 
made  by  the  limited  force  at  your  command,  were  necessarily  extremely 
imperfect,  and  much  work  had  t^o  be  done  after  the  enemy  was  upon 
us.  But  our  men  held  their  positions,  while  our  works  were  being 
perfected,  and  till  a  sufficient  force  arrived  to  make  us  secure. 

The  God  of  battles,  that  ever  sides  with  a  just  cause,  and  a  wise 
disposition  of  our  forces,  and  courage  and  discipline  of  our  army,  has 
insured  us  one  of  the  most  gallant  defences,  against  apparently  over- 
whelming numbers,  that  history  gives  any  record  of. 

The  fidelity  and  promptness  with  which  my  orderlies  Wm.  0.  Duke, 
of  the  Eichmond  Fayette  artillery,  and  ,  of  the  Charles 

City  troop,  conveyed  my  orders,  deserve  attention. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  calling  attention  to  the  batteries 
of  light  and  heavy  artillery,  in  the  several  garrisons  of  Gloucester 
Point,  Yorktovm,  and  Mulberry  Island.  The  very  small  force  consti- 
tuting the  army  of  the  Peninsula,  on  the  5th  of  April,  required  the 
withdrawal  of  the. whole  infantry  and  cavalry  force  from  Gloucester. 
Point,  to  move  the  line  of  defence  betv.een  the  York  and  James  rivers. 
The  heavy  artillery  Vi^as  thus  left  without  any  support  for  several 
days,  and  most  nobly  and  efficiently  did  they  maintain  their  position. 
When  the  line  of  defence  was  contracted.  Mulberry  Island  was  thrown 
out  of  the  lines  of  defence  several  miles,  to  stand,  if  necessary  a 
siege.  Captain  Garrett's  and  Young's  batteries  were  withdrawn  to 
this  fort,  thus  isolated.  The  efficiency  and  skill  of  the' cannoniers  at 
Yorktown,  were  attested  during  the  whole  defence.  The  firing  was 
continued  until  2  o'clock  at  night,  the  night  of  the  evacuation,  by 
which  time  many  of  our  troops  had  arrived  at  Williamsburg.  The 
skill  and  efficiency  of  our  cannoniers  was  not  only  attested  by  my  own 
observation,  but  by  the  accounts  that  have  been  published  in  the 
Northern  papers.  I  ascribe  their  superior  efficiency  to  the  entire 
calmness  and  cool  courage  of  our  cannoniers,  and  their  superior  intel- 
ligence. They  have  had  but  little  opportunity  for  practising,  though 
they  have  been  taught  the  principles  and  science  of  firing.  Their 
entire  self-possession,  united  with  courage,  intelligence  and  patriotic 
zeal,  enabled  them  to  practice  the  best  rule  for  firing,  "fire  with 
deliberate  promjituess,"  and  ensure  their  success. 

I  beg  leave  particularly  to  call  attention  to  the  efficiency  of  Lieu- 
tenant Wm.  B.  Jones;  who  acted  most  efficiently  as  my  adjutant  during 
the  greater  portion  of  the  defence,  and  of  my  adjutant,  Richard  M. 
Venable,  who  relieved  him  from  duty  to  enable  Lieutenant  Jones  to 
return  to  his  company,  all  the  other  officers  having  become  incapaci- 
tated from  service  by  arduous  and  constant  exposure  at  the  batteries. 
I  deeply  regret  to  have  to  state  that  one  of  the"se  officers,  Lieutenant 
Shields,  a  gallant  and  chivalrous  spirit,  who  had  distinguished  him- 
«elf  in  action,  has  since  died. 

Very  respectfully, 

n.  C.  CABELL, 
Colonel  1st  regiment  artillery,  and  chief  of  artillery^ 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  M.  STANLEY. 


To  Colonel  T.  R.  R.   Cobb, 

Commanding  Georgia  Legion : 

Colonel  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows,  in  reference  to  the 
part  taken  by  the  battery  under  my  command,  (Troupe  Artillery),  in 
the  engagement  of  the  16th  instant,  at  dam  No.  1.  I  had  but  two  of 
my  pieces  in  position  at  that  point,  and  a  6 -pounder  army  howitzer, 
under  Lieut.  Lumpkin.  The  former  was  on  the  right,  in, an  earth- 
work of  but  little  strength,  and  the  latter  in  an  earthwork,  somewhat 
stronger,  on  the  left.  Both  works  are  unfortunately  placed,  being  in 
too  low  a  position  to  command  the  field  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
dam.  Beside  m}''  own  piece,  one  other  was  there — a  24-pounder  iron 
howitzer,  belonging  to  Capt.  Jordan's  battery — placed  behind  a  work 
just  at  the  dam,  and  in  a  position  to  command  scarcely  more  than  the 
dam  itself.  Our  horses,  in  charge  of  their  drivers,  were  placed  in  a 
bottom  to-the  right  and  rear  of  our  position.  Our  12-pound  howitzer 
took  no  part  in  the  engagement,  because  the  direction  of  the  enemy 
was  such,  that  it  could  not  be  fired  Avithout  endangering  the  lives  of 
our  own  men  in  the  entrenchments  at  the  dam.  In  front  of  the  dam, 
on  the  opposite  side  from  us,  is  a  broad  field  in  which  tlie  ground  rises 
gradually  from  the  waters  edge  to  the  crest  of  a  hill,  GOO  or  700  yards 
distant,  and  then  slopes  up  gradually  to  the  woods  beyond.  This 
conformation  gave  the  enemy  an  admirable  position  in  which  to  place 
his  artillery,  audit  indicates  how  unfortunate  for  us,  is  the  position  of 
our  works,  and  of  the  dam  itself.  At  about  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the 
16th  inst.,  the  enemy  brought  up,  under  cover  of  the  hill,  a  battery  of 
six  pieces,  and  placed  them  just  beyond  the  crjst,  so  as  to  fire  and  yet 
be,  to  a  large  extent,  protected.  Judging  from  the  balls  thrown,  of 
which  a  large  number  have  been  gathered  up,  the  most  of  their  guns 
were  rifled.  There,  were,  however,  some  12-pounder  round  shell,  and 
12-pounder  round  shot,  indicating  a  smooth  bore. 

Against  this  formidable  array,  the  only  piece  which  could  be  used, 
with  any  effect,  or  without  endangeriug  the  lives  of  our  men  near  the 
dam,  was  the  smooth  bore  6-pounder,  under  Lieut.  Pope.  For  several 
hours  did  this  piece  maintain  the  unequal  conflict.  Capt.  Jordan's 
piece  fired  a  few  rounds,  but,  from  its  disadvantageous  position,  could 


522 

not  command  the  enemy's  position,  and    therefore,  exhibited  sound 
judgment  in  not  prolonging  its  fire. 

A  little  before  noon,  there  was  a  mutual  cessation  of  the  fire.  Soon 
after  dinner,  the  conflict  was  renewed.  An  attempt  was  made  by  the 
enemy's  infantry,  to  carry  our  rifle-pits,  by  fording  the  stream  in  the 
woods,  some  distance  below  the  dam,  and  during  this  assault,  the  fire 
of  their  artillery  upon  our  works  Avas  terrific.  The  whole  atmosphere 
was  filled  with  the  exploding  shell  and  shrapnel.  As  before,  the  piece 
under  Lieut.  Pope  replied  steadily  and  eff'ectively,  and  not  until  the 
cannoniers  were  exhausted,  did  the  firing  on  our  side  cease.  It  was 
after-night  when  the  conflict  closed. 

Though  several  of  my  men  were  struck  with  fragments  of  shell,  and 
spent  minnie  balls,  and  though  our  works  were  repeatedly  penetrated 
by  the  enemy's  shot,  not  one  behind  the  works  was  seriously  injured. 

One  of  our  drivers,  W.  P.  Meeler,  a  brave  and  faithful  young  man, 
who  was  with  the  horses,  had  his  right  leg  shot  ofi"  below  the  knee,  by 
a  cannon  ball.  Seven  of  our  horses  were  killed  in  the  fight ;  five  of 
them  by  minnie  balls  in  the  engagement  of  the  infantry.  That  the 
casualties  among  ray  men  were  so  few,  I  ascribe  to  the  merciful  Provi- 
dence of  Almighty  God. 

The  men,  with  hardly  an  exception,  exhibited  great  coolness  and 
courage. 

Although  the  howitzer  detachment  took  no  active  part  in  the  con- 
flict, their  position  was  exposed  to  a  very  fierce  fire. 

I  mention  with  special  commendation,  Lieut.  A.  F.  Pope,  gunner  J. 
F.  Dillard,  and  private  J.  C.  Strickland. 

The  following,  also,  are  worthy  of  particular  notice :  Sergeant  R. 
K.  Pridgeon  and  privates  A.  C.  Sorrell,  and  George  B.  Atkinson. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  suggest  that  our  position  at  dam   No.  1,  is 
very  inferior  to  that  of  the   enemy,  and  that  in  view   of  his  powerful 
and  numerous  artillery,  special  attention  be  given  to  that  point, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  ser't, 

M.  STANLEY,  Captain, 
Commanding  Troupe  Artillery,  Georgia  Legion. 


TvErORT 


OF 


EXPEDITION  TO  PINCKNEY  ISLAND. 


J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  MAJOR  GENERAL  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Department  S.  C.  and  Ga., 
Charleston,  Aug.  27th,  1862. 

To  General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  C.  S.  A.  : 

General: — I  have  the  honor  to  forward  the  enclosed  reports  of 
Colonel  W.  S.  "Walker  and  Captain  Stephen  Elliott,  Beaufort  Light 
Artillery,  of  an  expedition  against  the  enemy,  stationed  on  Pinckney 
island.  In  forwarding  these  reports,  I  would  respectfully  call  your 
attention  to  the  gallant  and  good  conduct  of  Captains  Stephen  Elliott 
and  Mickler,  who  coductcd  the  expedition  with  complete  success  to 
our  arms.  I  am.  General,  very  respectfully, 

J.  C.  PEMPERTON, 
Maj.  Grn.  conid'g  Dep't  S.  C.  and  Ga, 


REl  ORT  OF  COLONEL  W.  S.  WALKER. 


Headquarters  3d  Military  District,  ) 
McPlfERSONVILLE,   Aug.  22d,        ) 

To  Major  J.  R.  Waddy, 

A.  A.  General, 

Department  S.  C.  and  Ga.  : 

Major  : — I  have.the  honor  to  report  that,  from  the  reconnoissance 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Colcoch,  of  the  2d  battalion  cavalry,  and  Capt. 
J.  M.  Mickler,  llth  infantry,  and  the  information  obtained  from  three 
deserters,  I  was  persuaded  that  a  force  of  the  enemy,  stationed  on  the 
northeastern  point  of  Pinckney  island,  and  believed  not  to  exceed  one 
hundred  men,  could  be  surprised  and  captured.  For  this  purpose,  I 
ordered  Captain  Stephen  Elliott,  of  the  Beaufort  Artillery,  with 
Captain  J.  II.  Mickler,  llth  infantry,  to  organize  a  boat  expedition. 

I  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  report  of  Captain  Elliott  for  a  clear  and 
unreserved  statement  of  his  operations. 

For  a  due  understanding  of  the  hazardous  nature  of  the  undertaking, 
it  is  necessary  to  state,  that  a  gunboat  cruises  in  that  immediate  neigh- 
borhood, and  her  masts  were  seen  through  the  trees  from  the  enemy's 
encampment.  There  was  not  only  the  danger  attending  an  attack 
upon  an  enemy  nearly  equal  in  force,  but  the  still  greater  risk  of  be- 
ing intercepted  by  the  powerful  batteries  of  a  war  steamer.  The  con- 
ception of  the  expedition  required  daring  and  great  rapidity  of  execu- 
tion, A  prolonged  contest,  even  if  successful,  would  have  been  fatal 
in  its  results.  I  knew  that  the  high  qualities  of  the  leaders  and  their 
men  would  secure  the  prompt  execution,  and  the  result  has  amply 
justified  my  confidence. 

While  great  credit  is  due  to  every  officer  and  man  engaged,  I  must 
specially  mention  the  conspicuous  services  of  Captains  Elliott  and 
Mickler. 

My  position,  in  front  of  an  enemy  occupying  islands  and  command- 
ing their  approach  with  powerful  war  steamers,  as  well  as  the  charac- 
ter of  my  force,  consisting  mainly  of  cavalry,  armed  with  shot  guns, 
has  disabled  me  from  undertaking  any  large  operations  against  the 
enemy.  I  believe,  however,  I  have  succeeded  in  impressing  him  with 
an  exaggerated  estimate  of  my  force, -by  means  of  repeated  attacks 
upon  his  pickets  at  various  points,  which  would  seem  to  indicate  the 
confidence  and  audacity  of  a  strong  and  threatening  force. 


525 

I  have  been  Indebted  to  Captain  Stephen  Elliott,  who  is  a  sailor  as 
well  as  a  soldier,  for  the  organization,  and  largely  for  the  execution 
of  these  affairs.  With  great  zeal  and  enterprise,  he  has  contributed  a 
sagacity  and  prudence  which  have  invariably  secured  success. 

His  officers  and  men  have  proved  worthy  of  their  commander. 
They  have  borne  exposure,  fatigue  and  hunger,  with  unshrinking  cour- 
age and  alacrity. 

Captain  Mickler  has  but  recently  been  under  my  command,  but  in 
that  short  time,  his  boldness  as  a  scout  and  his  gallantry  as  a  leader, 
have  sustained  his  well-earned  reputation. 

I  would  colnmcnd  all  the  officers  and  men  engaged  in  the  expedition 
to  the  most  favorable  notice  of  the  general  commanding. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  only  order  of  special  interest  among  those 
captured.  I  will  send  the  prisoners  to  Charleston  as  soon  as  I  have 
examined  them.  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

W.  S.  WALKER, 

Colonel  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  CAPTAIN  STEPHEN  ELLIOTT. 


McPnERSONVILLE,    H.     C,  ) 

August  23,  1862.       S 
Lieutenant  E.  H.  Barnwell, 

A.  A.  General,  ^d  Military  District,  Department  S.  C.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  an  exp3(li- 
tion  to  Pinckney  Island,  organized  in  pursuance  to  orders  from  Dis- 
trict headquarters  : 

On  the  iSth,  in  company  with  Captain  Mickler,  I  made  a  careful 
reconnoissance  of  the  island,  and  formed  my  plan  of  attack.  I  ex- 
tended orders  to  Captain  Mickler  to  transport  four  boats  from  Ilor- 
ton's  to  Boar  Is^land,  and  to  join  me  there  on  the  evening  of  the  21st., 
with  one  hundred  men.  I  also  directed  that  fifty  men  of  the  Beaufort 
artillery,  with  muskets,  and  a  four  pounder  boat  gun,  should  meet  rae 
at  Boyd's  Landing,  on  the  19th,  in  order  to  take  six  boats  to  Foot 
Point  and  Bear  Island,  by  the  way  of  Broad  river.  The  dispositions 
were  successfully  accomplished  within  the  required  time. 

On  the  2 1st,  at  3  A.  M.,  I  left  Bear  Island  with  detachments  of 
Captains  Mickler's,  Leadbetter's  and  Westcoat's  companies,  under  the 
commands  of  their  captains,  and  of  the  Beaufort  artillery,  under 
Lieutenant  Stuart,  amounting,  in  all,  to  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men,  (12u),  thirty-six  (36)  of  whom  acted  as  oarsmen,  and  remained 
in  the  boats — nine  in  number. 

Passing  down  a  creek,  two  miles  in  length,  I  landed,  at  early 
dawn,  on  Pinckney  Island,  three  hundred  (3()t))  yards  in  rear  of  the 
dwelling  house,  which  is  situated  at  the  apex  of  an  angle,  whose  sides 
include  about  forty  (41))  degrees.  Deploying  rapidly  across  the  base, 
I  moved  forward  toward  the  point  over  ground,  on  one  side  open  and 
on  the  other  covered  by  a  densa  thicket,  up  to  the  camp  of  company 
H,  3d  regiment  New  Hampshire  volunteers,  surprising  them,  killing, 
according  to  the  most  careful  estimate,  fifteen,  and  capturing  thirty- 
six,  four  of  whom  were  wounded.  Six  were  seen  to  escape,  and  five 
are  known  to  have  been  absent.  These,  with  the  previous  numbers 
named,  give  sixty-two,  (62),  the  number  on  their  morning  report 
book.  The  Lieutenant  in  command,  the  only  officer  present,  cither 
escaped  or  was  killed.     There  is  good  reason  to  believe  the  latter. 

To  avoid  deloy  in  so  exposed  a  position,  I  forbade  the  men  to  touch 


527 

an  article,  and  we  returned,  bringing  off  the  company  records  and  two 
fine  boats,  having  remained  on  the  island  fifteen  minutes. 

Eight  of  my  men  were  wounded,  six  of  them,  I  regret  to  say,  by 
their  own  men.  This  is  the  more  provoking,  as  I  earnestly  and  re- 
peatedly warned  both  officers  and  men  against  this  very  danger.  Some 
palliation  may  exist  in  the  fact  that  some  of  the  men  were  engaged 
for  the  first  time,  that  the  disaster  sprung  from  an  excess  of  zeal  and 
courage,  and  that  there  was  not  light  enough  to  distinguish  persons  at 
any  distance.  The  mixture  of  small  detachments  too,  at  all  times  an 
element  of  confusion,  is  especially  so  in  surprises  at  night,  when  the 
necessity  of  silence  demands  the  most  rigid  discipline  and  uniformity 
of  action. 

I  take  pleasure  in  saying  that  the  whole  command  acted  with  great 
spirit  anl  determination.  It  is  a  just  tribute  to  a  gallant  officer  to 
say  that  Captain  Mickler,  by  his  ceaseless  energy  and  labor  for  days 
and  nights  previously,  as  well  as  by  his  valuable  suggestions,  con- 
tributed, in  no  small  degree,  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise  ;  while, 
by  his  impetuous  courage,  he  rendered  complete  the  surprise  of  the 
enemy. 

Enclosed  are  lists  of  our  wounded  and  of  the  prisoners.  I  send, 
also,  the  books  and  papers  captured. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  ' 

STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  Jr.. 
Captain  Bcanfort  Artillery,  ccmmai  ding  expedition. 


LIST  OF  PRISONERS  AT  McPHERSONVILLE,  S.  C. 


1  Jerome  B.  McQueslan,  Sergeant  company  H,  3d  N.  H. 

2  George  W.  Buraham,  "  "          ''       " 

3  Chas.  F.  French,  "  "         '' 

4  Wm.  Godd,  Corporal  "         " 

5  Charles  Schenner,  **  **         "       " 

6  George  Cluff,  " 

7  Wm.  Robinson,  Private  "         *'       ** 

8  Eben  Adams,    -  "  "         *'       '*  . 

9  Asa  B.  Perry,  "  "          "       *« 

10  Jeremiah  Dogan,  "  ''         " 

1 1  James  C.  Roach,  «*  " 

12  Patrick  Welch,  "  ''          '' 

13  David  A.  Paige,  "  *'          *♦ 

14  John  Locklan,  *'  *' 

15  John  B.  Davis,  *« 

16  H.  C.  Paige,  "  » 

17  John  Brady,  "  " 

18  Thos.  Adams,  "  *'         "       '' 

19  Edw\l  Bickford,  " 

20  Levy  McDuffie,  .        "  '*         " 

21  Walker  J.  Rupards,  **  "          "       ** 

22  John  A.  Smith,  "    .  "         " 

23  Alden  E.  Metcalf,  *'  "         "       " 

24  Chas.  F.  Bumham, 

25  Timothy  Parker,  <« 

26  Wm.  Butterfield,  "  "         ♦*       '' 

27  James  Callahan,  "  "          ''        " 

28  Geo.  A.  Turner, 


LIST  OF  PRISONERS  AT  HARDEEVILLE,  S.  C. 

1  Chas.  Harvey,  Sergeant  company  H,  3d,  N.  H. 

2  Enoch  Harvey,  Private  *'  ''     (Wounded  in  arm.) 

3  Dan'l  Jepperson,      "  "  "  " 

4  Cyrus  Hunt,  "  '  **  **     (Sick.) 


529 

5  Elbert  Blood,  Private  company  H,  3d  N.  H.     (Sick.) 

6  Frank  Ferrin,       "  "  "  *' 

7  America  Briggs,    "  **  "  (Wounded  in  head.) 

8  James  O'Neal,       "  "  "  (Sick.) 

The  above  is  a  correct  list  of  the  prisoners  captured  at   Pinckney 
island.  STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  Jr., 

Capt.  Beaufort  Artillery,  com''d''g  expedition. 
34 


LIST  OF  WOUNDED. 


Company  C,  1  Itli  regiment,  S.  C.  V. — Private ,  Avounded  in 

leg,  severely. 

Company  E,  llth  regiment  S.  C.  V, — Captain  Mickler,  wounded 
in  leg,  not  dangerous.  Sergeant  Jesse  Smith,  body,  dangerously. 
Corporal  J.  Nix,  wounded  in  bod}'',  since  died.  Private  D.  B.  Goy- 
hagen,  wounded  in  leg,  slightly.     Private  J.  Horton,  leg,  sliglitly.    . 

Company  G,  1 1th  regiment  S.  C.  V. — Private  M.  Bradley,  wounded 
in  ankle  slightly. 

Captain  Howard's  cavalry  — Private  Vergneur,  wounded  in  arm, 
Bevercly. 

The  above  is  a  correct  lisf  of  our  wounded. 

STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  Jr., 
Capt.  Beaufort  Artillery,  coni'd''g  expedition. 


ORDER  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  D.  HUNTER. 


IIeadquarti'.rs  Dkpartment  of  the  South, 
Hilton  Head,  Poht  Royal,  S.  C, 
August  17  th,  1862. 

GENERAL  ORDERS, 
No.  27. 

I.  The  7tli  regiment  of  New  Hainpshire  volunteers.  Colonel  Put- 
nam, will  be  held  in  readirhess  to  embark  for  St.  Augustine,  Florida, 
of  which  place  it  will  hereafter  form  the  garrison.  Lieutenant  Cohuul 
Sleeper,  of  the  4th  regiment  of  New  Hampshire  volunteers,  on  bi  ing 
relieved  by  Colonel  Putnam,  will  embark,  with  the  several  companiji 
of  his  regiment,  now  at  Saint  Augustine,  for  this  place. 

IL  It  is  with  deep  regret  that  the  general  commanding  the  dep.vrt- 
ment  has  received  several  reports  against  officers  for  returning  fni;;!- 
tive  slaves  in  direct  violation  of  a  law  of  Congress.  It  will  hanilj 
be  believed,  Avhen  it  is  announced  tliat  a  New  England  Colonel  is  t*- 
day,  in  the  second  year  of  the  rebellion,  in  arrest  for  having  been  en- 
gaged in  the  manly  task  of  turning  over  a  young  woman,  whose  skin 
was  almost  as  white  as  his  own,  to  the  cruel  lash  of  her  rebel  mast  r  I 

III.  Numerous  acts  of  pilfering  from  the  negroes  have  taken  pi  i  'S 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Beaufort,  committed  by  men  wearing  the  uni- 
form of  the  United  States.  I  cannot  and  will  not  call  them  soldiers. 
To  enal)le  General  Saxton  to  have  these  petty  thieves  arrested  ani 
sent  to  this  post  for  punishment,  the  three  companies  of  the  4tb  regi- 
ment of  New  Hampshire  volunteers,  now  at  Beaufort,  will  be  plac.-l 
exclusively  under  his  command,  for  service  on  the  plantations.  Mvjor 
Drew,  or  the  officer  commanding  these  three  companies,  will  be  di- 
rected by  General  Brannan  to  report  immediately  to  General  Saxton 
for  orders. 

IV.  All  the  furniture  left  l)y  the  rebels  on  the  islands,  includirig 
that  left  in  the  city  of  Beaufort,  is  hereby  placed  under  the  exclusive 
jurisdiction  of  General  Saxton. 

By  command  of  Major  General  D.  IIunfeh, 
(Signed,)  ED.  W.  SMITH, 

\st  Lieut.  \5th  Infantry,  AcVg  Asst  Adjt  Gail. 


11  E  P  0  11  T 


OF    THF. 


AFFAIR    NEAR    GALLATIN 


COLONEL  JOHN  H.  MORGAN,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Morgan's  Recimfnt,  > 

Hartsville,  August  22,   18G2.  J 

To  Adjutant  General : 

General:  I  beg  to  confirm  my  despatch  of  the  2(3th  inst.,  an- 
nouncing the  result  of  yesterday's  expedition. 

My  command,  consisting  of  ray  own  regiment,  700  strong,  and  4k 
squadron  of  Te.xas  rangers,  numbering  about  100  men,  returned  that 
day,  worn  out.  to  Gallatin. 

At  11  P.  M.,I  received  information  from  one  of  my  friendly  gcouts 
that  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  encamped  on  the  roadside  between  Cm- 
tilian  Springs  and  Hartsville,  a  distance  of  only  1 2  miles  from  my  camp. 

Judging  from  the  fact  that  they  had  halted  by  the  roadside.  I  con- 
cluded that  they  intended  to  march  at  night  r.nd  attack  early  in  tbc 
morning,  and  I  matle  my  preparations  accorlingly,  despatching  sooata 
upon  whom  I  could  depend,  to  bring  me  positive  information  as  to  the 
enemy's  movements. 

At  day-broak  my  column  was  on  the  move,  and  as  the  advanced 
guard  reached  the  head  of  the  town,  my  pickets  came  galloping  \n, 
followed  by  my  principal  scout,  who  reported  that  he  was  closely  pur- 
sued by  a  large  body  of  cavalry. 


•  534 

Not  vi-ishing,  ou  account  of  the  inhabitants,  to  make  Galhitin  the 
scene  of  our  contest,  I  advanced  my  column  and  was  greeted,  on 
reaching  the  Hartsville  pike,  by  a  heavy  fire  from  that  direction. 

I  dismounted  the  two  leading  companies  to  fight,  and  threw  them 
into  the  woods,  on  the  left  of  the  road.  The  enemy  increased  his 
fire  and  I  gradually  had  my  whole  command  engaged. 

The  fight  began  at  half-past  six  o'clock,  and  was  maintained  without" 
much  advantage  on  either  side — the  enemy  having,  perhaps,  rather  the 
best  of  it  at  first — until  about  half-past  eight,  when  they  began  to  fall 
back,  and  my  men  to  redouble  their  efforts.  At  half-past  nine,  I  had 
di'iven  them  four  miles,  and  was  preparing  for  a  final  charge,  when  a 
flag  of  truce  was  brought,  proposing  an  armistice,  in  order  to  bury 
their  dead. 

}ilj  reply  was,  that  I  could  entertain  no  proposition,  except  uncon- 
ditional surrender. 

I  learned  then  that  the  troops  were  commanded  by  Briga.der  Gen- 
eral Johnson.  During  the  parley,  the  enemy  had  formed  into  line  of 
battle,  and  were,  evidently  ready  to  defend  themselves  from  any  fresh 
attack. 

I  divided  my  force  into  three  divisions,  leading  one  myself  in  the 
direction  which  I  thought  General  Johnson  had  taken.  Major  Mor- 
gan had  five  companies  under  his  orders  on  my  left.  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Duke,  ou  my  right,  had  three  companies  and  his  advanced  guard. 

Some  delay  was  occasioned  by  the  non-arrival  of  my  gallant  Texas 
rangers,  Vi^ho  formed  part  of  the  body  under  my  own  immediate  orders. 
They  had  been  separated  from  their  horses  during  the  preceding  fight, 
and  had  not  been  able  to'recover  them  in  time  to  come  to  the  front. 
On  their  arriual,  we  marched  on  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy,  and 
Colonel  Duke's  division  coming  within  sight,  advanced  at  a  canter 
and  opened  fire. 

General  Johnson's  forces  being  on  a  good  pike,  retreated  for 
some  time,  faster  than  my  men,  who  were  on  difficult  ground,  could 
follow,  but  after  a  pursuit  of  some  two  miles,  they  were  overtaken 
and  compelled  to  fight. 

They  were  dismounted  and  formed  behind  their  horses.  The  po- 
sition they  had  selected  was  a  very  good  one,  especially  as  they 
considerably  out-numbered  Col.  Duke's  force,  which  Avas  the  only  one 
opposed  CO  them.  Major  Morgan  and  my  own  detachment  in  the  eager- 
ness of  pursuit,  having  taken  too  far  to  the  left. 

Colonel  Duke  reports  that  on  perceiving  that  the  enemy  had  halted, 
he  formed  his  three  companies  and  the  advanced  guard  into  columns  of 
squadrons  preserving  the  regular  distances  betwixt  each,  so  as  to  be 
able  to  form  into  line  at  command  and  attack. 
,  This  was  done  with  admirable  pi'ecision  and  coolness  by  his  men 
and  nothing  could  exceed  their  gallantry. 

The  enemy  were  formed  under  the  brow  of  a  hill,  and  my  men  were 
drawn  up  above  them,  so  that  their  fire  told  with  effect  on  my  line, 
whilst  that  of  the  attacking  party  went  over  their  heads. 

After  a  very  sharp  engagement  of  about  fifteen  minutes  they  broke 
and  ran. 


535 

Gen.  Johnson,  his  Adjutant  General,  Capt.  Turner,  Major  Winfrey, 
and  a  number  of  privates  were  captured,  but  the  main  body  escaped 
to  the  hills,  through  the  woods  and  high  corn,  making  for  the 
Cumberland  river. 

Thus  ended  an  action  in  which  my  command,  not  exceeding  700 
men,  (one  whole  company  being  in  the  rear  with  prisoners)  succeed- 
ed in  defeating  a  brigade  of  1,200  chosen  cavalry,  sent  by  General 
Buell  expressly  to  take  me  or  drive  me  out  of  Tennessee,  killing 
and  wounding  some  180,  and  taking  200  prisoners,  including  the 
Brigadier  General  commanding,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  regimen- 
tal officers. 

My  loss  in  both  actions  amounted  to  5  killed  and  18  wounded? 
2  missing.  Amongst  the  wounded  was  Captain  Huffman,  who  had 
his  arm  shattered  by  a  ball  whilst  leading,  gallantly  on,  his  brave 
Texan  rangers — a  small  body  of  men,  commanded  by  Major  Gano, 
of  whom  I  cannot  speak  too  highly,  as  they  have  distinguished 
themselves  ever  since  they  joined  my  command,  not  only  by  their 
bravery,  but  their  good  soldier-like  conduct. 

To  all  my  officers  and  men,  my  best  acknowledgments  are  duo ; 
nothing  but  hard  fighting  carried  them  through. 

To  my  personal  staff  I  am  deeply  indebted — Col.  St.  Legcr  Gren- 
fell,  Acting  Adjutant  General,  ably  supported  me;  Capt.  Lewellen, 
my  quartermaster,  and  Capt.  Green  Roberts,  who  acted  as  my  Aidcs- 
de-Camp,  were  most  active  and  fearless  in  carrying  my  orders,  and 
the  Captains  of  companies  cool  and  collected  in  the  performance  of 
them. 

Lieut.  Col.  Duke  led  on  his  regiment,  if  possible,  with  more 
than  his  usual  gallantry,  and  contributed,  by  the  confidence  with 
which  he  has  inspired  his  men,  to  insure  the  success  of  the  day. 

Lieut.  Col. Duke  makes  particular  mention  of  the  cool  and  de- 
termined manner  in  which  Lieut.  Rogers,  commanding  advanced 
guard.  Captains  Hutchison,  Castle  and  Lieut.  White,  respectively 
commanding  the  three  companies  composing  his  division,  b  chaved; 
in  fact,  the  conduct  of  both  officers  and  men,  deserve  the  highest 
praise, 

I  received  every  assistance  from  the  patriotism  and  zeal  of  the 
neighboring  citizens,  amongst  whom.  Major  Duffoy,  and  Captain  R. 
A.  Rennet,  were  pre-eminent. 

I  have,  also,  to  report  that  I  have  received  a  dispatch  from  Gen- 
Forrest,  stating  that  he  has  encamped  within  eight  miles  of  me, 
with  a  reinforcement  of  800  men,  but  no  artillery — the  want  of 
this  arm  cripples  my  movements  and  prevents  my  advance  with 
that  certainty  of  effect,  which  a  battery  would  afford. 

Recruits  are  daily  and  hourly  arriving.  The  population  seems 
at  last  to  be  thoroughly  aroused  and  to  be  determined  on  resistance. 

I  hope  shortly,  General,  to  be  able  to  report  further  successes, 
and  rest  assured  that  no  exertions  on  my  part,  shall  be  wanting — 
no  sacrifices  on  that  of  my  officers  and  men  will  prevent  our  giv- 


536 

ing  as  good  an  account  of  the    enemy  as    our    small  numbers  will 
admit  of. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  the  greatest  respect,  General, 
Your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  H.  MORGAN, 
Colonel  commanding  Cavalry ^  C.  S.  A. 

P.  S. — This  morning  I  received  positive  information  as  to  Gen. 
Nelson's  intentions  and  movements.  He  is  retreating  from  Nash- 
ville to  reinforce  Bowling  Green,  at  the  head  of  1,500  infantry, 
200  cavalry,  and  12  cannon.  It  is  evidently  the  intention  of  the 
Federals  to  attempt  the  defence  of  the  line  at  Bowling  Green  and 
Lebanon. 

J.  H.  M. 


PROCLAMATION. 

Headquarters  Morgan's  Brigade,  ) 

Hartsville,  Tenn.,  August  22,  1862.  ) 

Soldiers:  Your  gallant  bearing  during  the  last  two  days  will 
not  only  be  inscribed  in  the  history  of  the  country  and  the  annals 
of  this  war,  but  is  engraven  deeply  in  my  heart. 

Your  zeal  and  devotion  on  the  20th,  at  the  attack  of  the  trestle- 
work  at  Saundersville,  and  of  the  Springfield  Junction  Stockade — 
your  heroism  during  the  two  hard  fights  of  yesterday,  have  placed 
you  high  on  the  list  of  those  patriots  who  are  now  in  arms  for 
our  Southern  rights. 

All  communication  cut  off  betwixt  Gallatin  and  Nashville — a  body 
of  300  infantry  totally  cut  up  or  taken  prisoners — the  liberation 
of  those  kind  friends  arrested  by  our  revengeful  foes — for  no  other 
reason  than  their  compassionate  care  of  our  sick  and  wounded, 
would  have  been  laurels  sufl5cient  for  your  brows.  But,  soldiers, 
the  utter  annihilation  of  General  Johnson's  brigade — composed  of 
twenty-four  picked  companies  of  regulars,  and  sent  on  purpose  to 
take  us,  raises  your  reputation  as  soldiers,  and  strikes  fear  into 
the  craven  hearts  of  your  enemies.  General  Johnson  and  his  staff, 
with  200  men  taken  prisoners,  sixty-four  killed  and  100  wounded, 
attests  the  resistance  made,  and  bears  cestimony  to  your  valor. 

But  our  victories  have  not  been  achieved  without  loss.  We  have 
to  mourn  some  brave  and  dear  comrades.     Their  names  will  remain 


537 

in  our  breasts,  their  fame  outlives  them.  They  died  in  defence  of 
a  good  cause.  They  died  like  gallant  soldiers — with  their  front  to 
the  foe. 

Officers  and  men !     Your   conduct   makes   me  proud  to  command 
you  !     Fight  always  as  you  fought  yesterday,  and  you  are  invincible. 

JOHN  H.  MORGAN, 

Colojul  commanding  Cavalry. 


i 


Pt  E  FO  PIT 


OF   OPERATIONS     AT 


BRIDGEPORT  AND  BATTLE  CREEK- 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  S.  B.  MAXEY,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  C.  S.  Forces,  near  Graham's,  ) 
Opposite  mouth  of  Battle  Creek,  Aug.  30,  1862.      ) 

To  Captain  C.  S.  Stringfellow, 

A.  A.  General : 

Captain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
affairs  in  which  d,  portion  of  the  troops  under  my  command  were 
engaged,  on  the  27th  instant : 

Early  in  the  morning,  I  ordered  Captain  P.  II.  Rice,  commanding 
company  A,  Howard's  battalion,  Georgia  and  Alabama  cavalry,  to  ford 
the  Tennessee  river,  about  2  1-2  miles  below  %-idgeport,  and  cau- 
tiously approach  that  place,  and  attack  the  enemy.  Captain  Rice 
found,  however,  that  the  enemy  had  precipitately  evacuated  the  night 
before. 

This  being  communicated  to  me,  I  ordered  the  32d  Alabama  regi- 
ment of  Infantry,  Colonel  McKinstry,  which  was  concealed  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  to  cross.  Captain  Rice,  was  in  the  meantime, 
ordered  to  throw  his  cavalry  well  out  on  the  Battle  creek  and  Steven- 
son roads. 

Scarcely  had  the  32d  crossed,  when  the  cavalry  reported  enemy's 
infantry  and  cavalry  approaching  in  force,  the  truth  of  which  was 
made  apparent  from  the  clouds  of  dust  in  the  roads. 


540 

• 

I  immediately  ordered  the  32d  to  be  formed  in  line  of  battle,  near 
the  crest  of  the  hill  in  the  town.  And  in  a  few  moments  the  enemy's 
cavalry,  (4th  Ohio  and  one  other,  name  not  known,)  dashed  up  in  full 
speed,  and  were  permitted  to  come  within  less  than  fifty  yards  of  the 
infantry  before  a  gun  Avas  fired,  when  a  galling  fire  was  poured  into 
them,  and  they  retreated  in  great  confusion.  In  a  short  time,  clouds 
of  dust  warned  me  of  the  enemy's  approach  on  our  left,  and  to  meet 
it,  I  had  the  front  of  the  left  wing  changed  forward  in  time  to  receive 
another  dash  of  cavalry,  which  was  again  thrown  in  confusion  by 
another  volley,  more  effective  than  the  first,  and  he  again  retreated, 
but  reformed,  and  by  the  dust,  I  soon  saw  he  was  approaching  the 
center.  A  company  of  the  32d  Alabama,  armed  with  the  enfield  rifle, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Sellers,  was  placed  in  the  center  in  ambush, 
and  as  the  enemy  came  up  the  hill,  in  very  close  range,  this  company 
rose,  and  delivered  its  deadly  fire  simultaneously  with  the  wings,  separa- 
ted for  cover,  and  this  time  the  enemy  broke  and  fled  in  perfect  confusion. 

Whilst  this  portion  of  the  fight  was  going  on,  my  batteries,  con- 
sisting of  Captain  Freeman's  and  Captain  Dunn's  artillery,  and  one 
twenty-four  pounder  rifle  gun,  opened  (by  previous  agreement)  out  on 
the  enemy's  works,  at  the  mouth  of  Battle  creek,  about  five  miles  dis- 
tant up  the  river,  and  continued  incessantly  during  the  entire  day. 
The  heavy  columns  of  dust  bearing  towards  Stevenson,  from  the  ene- 
my's camps  around  there^howed  a  general  commotion. 

At  night,  I  ordered  the  battery  commanders  to  keep  the  fire  up, 
believing  the  enemy,  if  properly  managed,  would  evacuate  before  day. 
At  about  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  work  was  abandoned  in  great 
confusion,  the  enemy  burning  most  of  his  commissary  stores,  but 
leaving  in  our  possession  some  $30,000  worth  of  valuable  property, 
embracing  some  commissary  stores,  ordnance  stores,  quartermaster 
stores,  clothing,  all  his  tents,  32  horses  and  4  mules,  a  few  wagons  and 
ambulances,  and  some  few  medicines,  and  a  splendid  case  of  surgical 
instruments,  besides  some  sutler's  stores,  a  number  of  ofiicers'  trunks, 
many  of  the  post  commander's  papers,  and  some  very  valuable  maps. 
It  is  proper  to  observe  that  after  the  fight  commenced  at  Bridgeport, 
the  3rd  Georgia  cavalry  and  25th  Tennessee  infantry,  were  ordered 
across,  but  did  not  reach  the  place  in  time  to  participate.  Indeed,  it 
was  only  after  the  fight  had  opened,  that  I  received  notice  that  the 
3rd  Georgia  was  placed  at  my  disposal  temporarily. 

I  was  informed  blithe  Major  General  commanding  several  days  ago, 
that  some  cavalry,  under  Colonel  Lay,  would_^move  down  the  Sequachie 
Valley,  and  I  had  hoped  to  have  its  assistance.  At  10  P.  M.,  on  the 
27th,  I  received  a  note  from  Colonel  Lay,  dated  Jasper,  5  1-2  P.  M., 
informing  me  that  he  was  there  with  550  cavalry,  and  desired  me  to 
inform  him  of  my  movements,  stating  that  he  heard  the  cannonading,  &c. 
This  I  did,  with  an  expression  of  belief  that  the  enemy  would  be 
shelled  out  before  morning,  and  saying  to  him  (in  substance)  that  if 
he  would  take  his  position  about  the  mouth  of  Sweeden's  cove  about 
daylight,  he  would  probably  get  them. 

■     It  is  unfortunate  that  these  suggestions  were  not  acted  on,  for  if 
they  had  been,  the  enemy  being  panic  stricken,  by  throwing  cavalry 


541 

in  his  front,  the  hills  on  either  side,  and  my  forces  in  rear,  would  have 
been  easy  prey.  I  am  indebted  to  Captain  S.  M.  Scott,  A.  A.  Gene- 
ral, Captain  C.  G.  Schultz,  A.  Inspector  General,  Captain  M.  H. 
Lewis,  ordnance  officer  of  my  staff,  and  my  aid,  Lieutenant  R.  C.  An- 
drews, for  valuable  and  efficient  aid.  The  work  between  the  two  points 
kept  the  first  three  constantly  busy.  Captain  Scott  personally  super- 
intending the  throwing  forward  reinforcements.  My  aid.  Lieutenant 
Andrews,  was  with  me  at  Bridgeport,  and  did  his  duty  coolly  and  well. 
The  32d  Alabama  did  nobly,  fighting  like  veterans,  under  their 
able  Colonel  (McKinstry,)  seconded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Maney, 
distinguished  for  gallantry  and  coolness  on  the  field.  Captains  Free- 
man and  Dure,  and  the  officers  under  them,  did  their  whole  duty. 
Lieutenant  Iloltzelaw,  of  Captain  Dure's  battery,  worked  the  siege  gun 
most  of  the  time  and  splendidly.  It  was  handled  part  of  the  time  by 
Captain  McCreery.  Captain  Rice  and  his  command  acted  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  all  praise.  In  short,  I  never  saw  troops  behave  better  than 
did  the  32d  Alabama,  Rice's  cavalry.  Freeman's  and  Dure's  batteries, 
and  the  detachment  with  siege  guns.  I  particularly  call  your  atten- 
tion to  the  boldness  of  this  regiment  of  infantry  in  wading  a  broad 
sheet  of  water,  such  as  the  Tennessee,  up  to  their  arm-pits,  with 
retreat  cut  off,  and  the  enemy  known  to  be  strong  in  front.  Should  I 
be  furnished  with  sufficient  cavalry  to  reap  the  fruits  of  this  move- 
ment, our  cause  will  be  greatly  benefitted.  The  work  out  of  which  the 
enemy  was  shelled,  is  a  splendidly  constructed  field  work,  admirably 
executed,  is  the  key  to  the  Sequachie  Valley,  and  its  possession  com- 
pletely breaks  the  enemy's  chain  up  the  Tennessee  river.  With  cav- 
alry to  operate  from  that  point  toward  Stevenson  and  Huntsville,  the 
enemy  could  be  kept  in  constant  alarm.  I  neglected  in  its  appropriate 
place,  to  say,  which  I  do  with  gratitude,  that  our  loss  was  trifling, 
only  six  wounded — one  missing — thus  small  owing  to  the  fact  that  the 
grounds  on  which  the  fight  took  place  at  Bridgeport  were  perfectly  well 
known  to  me,  and  the  men  most  of  the  time  had  the  advantage  of 
cover.  The  enemy's  loss,  for  such  an  affair,  was  heavy,  variously  esti- 
mated from  fifty  to  seventy-five  killed  and  Avounded  in  the  two  engage- 
ments, certainly  not  less  than  fifty,  and  the  indications  are  it  was 
greater. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  B.  MAXEY, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 


PI  E  F  O  R  T 


OF  THE 


THREE  ENGAGEMENTS  WITH  THE  ENEMY, 


NEAR 


RICHMOND,  KY. 


MAJOR  GENERAL  E.  KIRBY  SMITH,  COMMANDING. 


Headquarters  Army  of  Kentickv,  ^ 
Richmond,  Ky.,  ^ 

August  mth,  1862.       ) 

General  S.  Coopkr, 

Adft  and  Ins.  General,  C.  S.  A., 
Richmond,  Va. : 
Sir  :  It  is  my  great  pleasure  to  announce  to  you  that  God  has  thrice 
blessed  our  arms  to-day.  After  a  forced  march,  almost  day  and  night, 
for  three  days,  over  a  mountain  ^vilderness,  destitute  alike  of  food  and 
water,  I  found  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  force  to  oppose  us,  at  a  point 
eight  miles  from  this  place.  With  less  than  half  my  force  I  attacked 
and  carried  a  very  strong  position  at  Mount  Zion  Church,  after  a  hard 
fight  of  two  hours.  Again,  a  still  better  position  at  White's  farm,  in 
half  an  hour;  and  finally,  in  this  town,  just  before  sunset,  our  in- 
domitable troops  deliberately  walked  (they  were  too  tired  to  run)  up 
to  a  magnificent  position,  manned  by  10,000  of  the  enemy,  many  of 
them  perfectly  fresh,  and  carried  it  in  fifteen  minutes.  It  is  proper 
for  me  now  to  give  you  the  e.xact  results  of  these  glorious  battles. 
Our  loss  is  comparatively  small.  That  of  the  enemy,  many  hundred 
killed  and  wounded,  and* several  thousand  prisoners.  We  have  cap- 
tured artillery,  small  arms  and  wagons.  Indeed,  everything  indi- 
cates the  almost  entire  annihilation  of  this  force  of  the  enemy.  In 
the  first  two  battles  they  were  commanded  by  General  Manson,  in  the 
last  by  General  Nelson. 


544 

Reinforcements  mxist  be  sent  up  to  me  at  once.  We  have  large 
numbers  of  adherents  here,  who,  if  Tve  can  show  an  ability  to  main- 
tain ourselves,  will  flock  to  our  standard. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  E.  KIRBY  SMITH, 

Major  General,  commanding. 


August  Slst. 

General:  I  have  only  time  to  add  that  the  commander  of  the  ene'- 
my,  General  Nelson,  was  wounded  in  the  thigh.  The  2d  in  command. 
General  Manson,  (and  staff)  a  prisoner  in  this  place,  and  General 
Miller  killed.  All  their  artillery  taken,  some  3,500  prisoners,  and 
their  whole  force  dispersed  in  every  direction.  The  cavalry  continues 
to  bring  in  prisoners. 

Respectfully,  and  in  haste, 
(Signed,)  E.  KIRBY  SMITH, 

Major  Geneial. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  E.  KIRBY  SMITH. 


Headquarters  Army  of  Kentuckv,  ^ 
Lexington,  Ky.,  > 

S^pt.  16,  1862.      ) 

General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjt  and  Ins.    General, 

Richmond,  Va.  : 

General:  In  my  sliort  letter  of  the   30th  ultimo,  I  gave  you  the  • 
results  of  my  actions  of  that  day,   of  Avhich  I  have  the  honor  now  to 
make  a  more  detailed  report. 

Before  leaving  Barboursville  for  this  part  of  Kentucky,  I  wrote  to 
you,  fully  explaining  the  reasons  that  prompted  me  to  take  that  step. 
Until  my  advance  descended  the  Big  Hill,  it  met  with  no  opposition 
from  the  enemy.  Here,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  the  enemy  was 
discovered  to  be  in  force  in  our  front,  and  a  bold  reconnoissance  of  the 
cavalry,  under  Colonel  Scott,  in  the  afternoon,  indicated  a  determina- 
tion to  give  us  battle.  Although  Churchill's  division  did  not  get  up 
until  quite  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  then  in  an  apparently  exhausted 
state,  I  determined  to  march  to  Richmond  the  next  day,  even  at  the 
cost  of  a  battle  with  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy.  The  leading  di- 
vision, under  General  Cleburne,  was  moved  early  the  next  morning, 
and  after  advancing  two  or  three  miles  they  found  the  enemy  drawn 
up  in  line  of  battle  in  a  fine  position,  near  Mount  Zion  Churchy  six 
miles  from  Richmond.  Without  waiting  for  Churchill's  division,  Cle- 
burne at  once  commenced  the  action,  and  when  I  arrived  on  the  field,. 
7  1-2  o'clock,  the  fire  of  artillery  was  brisk  on  both  sides.  As  my 
force  was  almost  too  small  to  storm  the  position  in  front,  without  a- 
disastrous  loss,  I  Ecnt  Genernl  Churchill,  with  one  of  his  brigades,  to 
turn  the  enemy's  right.  While  this  move  was  being  executed,  a  bold 
and  well-conducted  attempt,  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  to  turn  Cle- 
burne's right,  was  admirably  foiled  by  the  firmness  of  Colonel  Pres- 
ton Smith's  brigade,  who  rcpul;:ed  the  enemy  with  great  slauj^hter. . 
It  was  about  this  time,  and  while  he  was  riding  from  his  ri^ht  to  hia. 
left,  that  General  Cleburne  was  badly  woundeit  in  the  face,  and  thus,, 
at  a  critical  moment,  I  was  deprived  of  the  services  of  one  of  the  most 
gallant,  zealous  and  intelligent  officers  of  the  whole  army. 

The  command  of  this  division  then  devolved  upon  Colonel  Prestonj 
Smith.     In  the  meantime,  General  Churchill  had  been  completely  sue- 
So  , 


546 

cessful  in  his  movement  upon  the  enemy's  right  flank,  where,  by  a 
bold  charge,  his  men  completed  a  victory  already  partially  gained  by 
the  gallantry  of  our  troops  on  the  right. 

In  this  action  our  loss  was  quite   heavy  on  the  right,  but  in  com- 
parison with  that  of  the  enemy,  was  small. 

It  being  reported  that  the  enemy  had  taken   up  a  new  position,  on 
White's  farm,  two  miles  in  front,  I   ordered  Churchill,  with  one  bri- 
gade, to  again  turn  his  right,  intending  to   bring   up  Preston   Smith  ' 
on  the  other  fla,nk.     But  a  desperate  attempt,  on  the  part  of  the  ene- 
my, to  crush  Churchill,  eauscd   the  action  to  commence  before  the  ar- 
rival of  Smith's  division,   and  so  this  gallant  brigade,  (Colonel  Mc- 
Cray's,)  of  Texans  and   Arkansians,  had   to  fight  the  battle  alone. 
Although  the  odds  opposed  to   them  were   fearful,  yet,  by  reserving 
their  own  fire,  under  the  deafening  roar  of  the  enemy's  guns,  and  by 
a  well-timed  ^nl  dashing  charge  upon  the  advancing  lines,  they  com- 
pletely routed  and  put  to  flight  the  hosts   of  the  enemy,  just  as  the 
cheers  of  Smith's  division  announced  their  arrival  in  the  field.      The 
loss  of  the  enemy  here  was  very  great,   including  one  piece  of  artil- 
lery ;  ours,  almost  nothing.      Scott's  cavalry  having  been  around  to 
our  loft  by  another  road,  to  get  in  the  rear  of  Richmond,  I  felt  during 
the  Avholc  day  much  in  need  of  cavalry,  to  foUovf  up  our  different  suc- 
cesses.    It  was  then,  that  in  this  second  repulse   of  the  enemy,  I  or- 
dered Captain  Nelson,  commanding   a   company  of  partizan   rangers, 
to  charge   the  retreating  masses   of  the  enemy.     This  was  promptly 
and  admirably  obeyed,  the  results  being  the  capture  of  numerous  pri- 
soners.    In  passing  a  deserted  camp  of  the  enemy,  I  found  from  some 
of  the  wounded  that   General   Nelson,   with  reinforcements,  had  ar- 
rived after  the  second  battle.     A  march  of  two  miles  brought  us  with- 
in si^ht  of  the  town,  in  front  of  which,  and  on  a   commanding  ridge, 
with  both  flanks  resting  upon  woods,   Nelson' had  determined  to  make 
a  final  stand.     For  a  third  time  Churchill,  with  a  brigade,  (McNair's) 
was  sent  off  to  the  left,  when  a    deafening  roar  of  musketry  soon  an- 
nounced the  raging  of  a  furious  combat.      In  the  meanwhile,  Preston 
Smith,  bringing  up  his  division  at  a  double-quick,  formed  with  won- 
derful precision  and  rapidity,  in  front  of  the  enemy's  center  and  left. 
Alm'ost  Avithout  waiting    the   command  of   the    officers  this   division 
.coolly  advanced  under  the  murderous  fire  of  a  force  twice  their  num- 
ber, and  drove  them  from  the  field  in  the  greatest  confusion,  and  with 
immense  slaughter.     Owing  to  the  open  character  of  the  country,  our 
loss  in  the  last  fight  wag  quite  heavy,  including   some  valuable  regi- 
mental officers.     The  exhausted  condition  of  my  men,  together  with 
the  closing  in  of  night,  prevented  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  more  than 
.a  mile  beyond  Richmond.       But    the  timely  arrival  of  Colonel  Scott, 
■with  his  cavalry,  upon  their  two  lines  of  retreat,  enabled  him  greatly 
to  increase  the  fruits    of  the    hard  labors   of  the  day,   by  capturing 
large  numbers  of  prisoners,  including  General  Manson  and  staff,  as 
a,lso  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  number  of  wagons,  and  whilst  my 
whole  force  was  not  more  than  five  thousand,  that  of  the  enemy  was  more 
than  ten.      In  this  last  engagement,  we  took  prisonerrs  from  thirteen 
xegiments.       Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  is  about  400  ;  that  of  the 


547 

enemy  is  about  1,000,  and  his  prisoners  5,00  ).  The  iinmediate  fruits 
of  the  victory  were  9  pieces  of  artillery  and  10,000  small  arms,  and 
a  large  quantity  of  supplies.  These  latter  were  greatly  increased  by 
the  capture  of  this  place  and  Frankfort,  the  whole  number  of  cannon 
taken  being  about  twenty.  I  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  forward  withi 
this  the  reports  of  all  the  different  commands  of  the  forces  engaged. 

Those  enclosed  (General  Churchill's  and  Colonel  Scott's,)  will  show 
you  how  much  cause  the  Confederacy  has  to  bo  proud  of  her  sons.  I 
almost  fear  to  particularize,  lest  I  do  not  full  justice  to  all;  but  I 
cannot  close  this  report  without  expressing  my  admiration  at  the 
promptness  and  intelligence  with  which  Generals  Churchill  and  Cle- 
burne and  Colonel  Preston  Smith  executed  the  orders  given  them. 
My  thanks  are  due  to  the  following  members  of  my  staff,  who  were 
with  me  on  the  field,  for  their  active  assistance  to  me  during  the  day, 
viz :  Colonels  Pcgram  and  Boggs,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Brent,  Majors 
J.  A.  Brown,  McElrath  and  Thomas,  Captain  Morse,  Lieutenant 
Cunningham  and  Pratt,  and  Captains  Walworth  and  Hammond,  and 
McFrevet,  volunteer  aids.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  the 
Medical  Director,  Surgeon  S.  A.  Smith,  and  to  his  assistants,  for 
their  untiring  devotion  to  the  arduous  labors  that  devolved  upon 
tbem. 

As  regards  the  intrepid  behavior  of  the  true  patriots,  the  men  ia 
ranks,  I  can  onl}'-  say,  that  as  long  as  the  destinies  of  the  South  re- 
main in  such  hands,  we  need  never  fear  Northern  subjugation.  But 
even  more  than  their  noblo  courage  before  the  enemy,  arc  vt'c  called 
upon  to  admire  that  higher  courage,  which  enabled  them  to  undergo, 
without  murmur,  the  fatigues  and  hardships  of  one  of  the  most  diffi- 
cult marches  of  this  war.  For  several  days,  and  parts  of  the  nights, 
through  a  country  almost  entirely  without  water,  over  stony  roads, 
with  their  almost  bare  feet,  and  with  green  corn  and  beef,  without 
salt,  as  their  only  food,  did  these  gallant  men  tru<lge  along,  inspired 
only  with  the  desire  of  being  led  against  the  invaders  of  their  homes, 
and  the  oppressors  of  their  liberties. 

I  refer  you  to  the  reports  of  the  division  and  brigade  commanders, 
only  a  part  of  which  I  am  now  able  to  forward,  for  notice  of  special 
cases  of  good  behavior. 

I  remain,  General, 

Yery  respectfully, 

Yoar  obedient  servant, 

E.  KIKBY  SMITH. 


REPORT  OF   BRIGADIER   GENERAL  CHURCHILL, 


..I 


Headquarters  3d  Division,  A.  K  , 
Cynthianna,  Ky.,  September  Hh,   186; 

To  Major  General  E.  Kirby  Smith  : 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  on  the  morning  of  the 
o^M\\  ultimo,  according  to  instructions,  I  moved  my  division,  composed 
of  the  first  and  second  brigades,  commanded  by  Colonels  McCray  and 
McNair  respectively,  up  the  road  in  the  direction  of  Richmond. 
Vklien  I  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kingston,  I  heard  the  artillery 
open  on  our  right,  showing  that  General  Cleburne  had  met  the  enemy. 

It  was  now  about  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  It  was  at  this  time  you  arrived 
en  the  field,  and  ordered  me  to  hold  one  of  my  brigades  in  reserve, 
while,  with  the  other,  I  was  to  make  a  flank  movement  on  the  enemy's 
right.  In  accordance  with  these  instructions,  I  left  Colonel  McMair, 
with  his  brigade  as  a  reserve  force,  and  proceeded  with  Colonel  Mc- 
Cray's  brigade,  composed  €)f  Arkansas  and  Texan  troops,  to  execute  the 
movement  on  the  enemy's  flank,  and,  by  proceeding  cautiously  through 
:i  corn  field  and  a  ravine,  had  almost  perfected  the  move,  when  the 
enemy,  pressed  by  our  forces  on  \o\\y  right,  commenced  to  give  way, 
but,  after  falling  back  some  distance,  they  formed  in  a  skirt  of  timber, 
when  my  forces  fired  and  chargexl  upon  them.  Then,  for  the  first 
time,  discovering  my  position,  they  commenced  a  precipitate  retreat, 
but  not  before  we  had  killed  a  great  many  and  taken  a  number  of 
prisoners. 

I  was  again  ordered  to  move  up  on  the  left  with  the  same  brigade, 
while  General  Cleburne  was  to  move  on  the  right.  After  proceeding 
some  two  miles  in  the  direction  of  Richmond,  I  found  the  entire  force 
of  the  enemy,  numbering  eight  or  ten  thousand,  in  a  strong  position 
on  the  left  of  the  road,  concealed  by  a  cornfield,  and  a  skirt  of  timber. 
I  then  sent  General  Cleburne  word  to  move  up,  that  I  was  ready  to 
engage  the  enemy.     I  then  placed  one  section  of  Captain  Humphrey's 

battery,  under  eommand  of  Lieutenant ,  on  my  right,  about 

two  hundred  yards  fuom  the  enemy,  to  more  effectually  rake  his  lines. 
Before  General  Cleburne's  division  came  up  the  fight  had  commenced 
in  earnest. 

The  fire   of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  musketry  was  most  terrific, 


549 

while  we  replied  only  with  artillery.  I  then  ordered  my  command  to 
lie  dov.^n,  protected  by  a  fence  and  ditch,  and,  for  full  five  minutes  we 
did  not  fire  a  gun,  in  response  to  their  terrible  fire. 

The  enemy  were,  at  this  time,  advancing  in  heavy  force,  and  when 
they  had  arrived  within  fifty  yards  of  my  line  the  order  was  given  to 
rise,  fire,  and  charge,  v.diich  order  was  promptly  and  gallantly  obeyed. 
The  enemy  could  not  withstand  the  desperate  courage  of  my  mcn,'but 
still,  for  a  while  they  contested  every  inch  of  ground,  as  they  were 
driven  from  it,  until  finally,  finding  it  impossible  to  cbeck  this  galhat 
charge,  they  gave  Avay  in  every  direction. 

The  victory  was  complete.  Tlie  field  was  covered  with  the  dead  and 
wounded  of  the  enemy,  and  some  (though  comparatively  few)  of  the 
gallant  sons  of  "Arkansas  and  Texas  fell  martyrs  to  the  cause  of 
liberty.  Here  we  captured  a  large  number  Of  prisoners,  gUns  and 
equipments  of  all  kinds.  In  this  charge  one  splendid  rifle  cannon 
v,-as  taken.  This  was,  perhaps,  the  most  severely  contested  fight  of 
the  day;  Finding  this  brigade  worn  down  by  incessant  fighting,  I 
ordered  up  Colonel  McNair  to  follow  in  pursuit  of  the  now  flying 
enemy.  After  pursuing  them  some  two  miles,  we  found  them  again 
drawn  up  in  line,  near  the  oiitikirts  of  Richmond,  having  collect6<l 
their  whole  force  for  a  last  and  final  strufffrle. 

TT  T  1 

Here  I  took  position  on  the  right  of  the  enemy's  line.  Soon  my 
skirmishers  engaged  those  of  the  enemy,  which  was  soon  followed  by 
a  general  engagement  of  my  forces,  1  was  driving  back  the  enemy's 
right  wing,  when  I  heard  firing  on  my  right,  .showing  that  General 
Cleburne  had  engaged  the  enemy  on  their  left.  The  erigagemci.t  tho.i 
became  general  throughout  the  entire  line. 

For  a  time  the  contest  was  sliarp,  and  the  rattle  of  the  musketry 
almost  deafening,  but  again,  for  the  third  and  last  time,  the  enemy 
lied,  in  great  confusion,  through  the  streets  of  Richmond,  as  night 
closed  upon  our  victorious  army. 

I  captured  in  this  engagement  a  large  amount  of  ordnance  and  ord- 
nance stores,  together  with  four  or  five  hundred  prisoners. 

I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  gallantry  and  coolness  dis^played 
by  Colonels  McNair  and  McCray  throughout  the  entire  day,  and  I 
have  to  thank  them  for  the  promptness  and  skill  with  which  they  exe- 
cuted orders.  Of  the  two  batteries-  in  my  division,  the  one  coniaTandod 
by  Captain  Douglas  was  ordered,  the  evening  previous,  to  report  to 
General  Cleburne  for  orders.  The  other,  commanded  by  Captain 
Humphreys,  was  with  my  division  during  the  Nvhole  day,  and  it  givea 
me  great  pleasure  to  say  that  his  pieces  were  handled  with  surprising 
skill  and  ability,  and  did  great  execution   in   the   racd<s  of  the  enemy. 

My  loss  during  the  entire  day  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  was 
two  hundred  and  twenty-four. 

Before  closing,  I  must  particularly  mention  the  daring  bravery 
and  gallant  bearing,  on  the  battle  field,  of  the  following  members  of 
my  staft":  Captain  B.  S,  Johnson.  Adjutant  General;  Captain  B,  F. 
Blackburn,  Inspector  General;  Captain  John  Renwick,  volanteer 
Aid;  Captain  Jones,  Signal  Corps,  and  Lieutenant  J.  M.  Rose,  Ord- 
nance ofiSccr.     These  officers  were  ever  seen  bearing  orders  through 


650 

the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and,  at  times,  in  the  front  of  the  battle, 
checrin;;'  on  my  men  to  victory.  My  Division  Surgeon,  Dr.  C.  H. 
Smith,  in  addition  to  his  professional  services  upon  the  field  to  the 
wounded,  rendered  me  many  valuable  services.  The  officers  and  men 
of  ray  entire  division  always  met  the  enemy  with  unflinching  gallantry, 
and  were  the  proud  victors  of  every  field;  and  for  the  privations, 
hardships,  and  almost  unequalled  marches,  all  of  which  they  have 
borne  without  a  murmur,  they  deserve  the  thanks  of  their  country. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General,  very  respectfully, 

-•  Your  most  obedient  servant,! 

Y.  J.  CIIURCIIILL, 
Brigadier  General,  commanding  Sd  Division  Army  of  Kentucky. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  E.  McNAIR. 


Headquarters  2n  Buioade,  ) 
Sept.  eth,  1862.      } 

General: — I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  1(^83  and 
casualties  in  the  2d  brigade,  3d  division,  army  of  Kentucky,  in  the 
action  near  Richmond,  3Uth  August,  viz.  : 

1st  Arkansas  Mounted  Rijflemen. — Killed, 8 

**  "  "  Wounded, 18 

Total, 26 

4th  Arkansas  regiment. — Killed, 6 

"  '*  Wounded, ' 17 

Total, .  ^ 23 

Baltimore  Mounted  Riflemen  — Killed, 1 

*«  «*  "  Wounded, 10 

Total, 11 

30th  regiment. — Killed, 1 

"  Wounded, 9 

Total, 10 

4th  battalion. — Wounded, 6 

In  regard  to  the  part  ray  brigade  took  in  the  battle  near  Richmond, 
Ky,  I  will  only  say  that  officers  nnd  men  did  thoir  duty,  their  whole 
duty.  1  will  not  particularize,  lest  I  do  some  injustice,  but  willleave 
you  and  the  country  to  judge  of  us. 

I  am,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

E.  McNAIR, 
Colond  commanding  2d  bripad", 
Sd  division,  Army  Kentucky. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  J.  S.  SCOTT. 


Headquarters  Kirby  Smith's  Brigade,  ) 
Lebanon,  Ky.,  Sept.  Uth,  1862.      5 


To  Major  General  E.  Kirby  Smiti!, 

Commanding  Army  of  Kentucky, 

Lexington,  Ky.  : 

The  evening  of  the  13th  August,  I  left  Kingston,  Tenn.,  with  the 
1st  cavalry.  Lieutenant  Nixon  Conly,  1st  Georgia  cavalry.  Colonel 
Morrison,  and  the  Buckner  Guards,  Captain  Jarrett,  numbering  in 
the  aggregate  896,  and  passing  through  Montgomery  and  Jamestown, 
Tenn.,  Monticello  and  Somerset,  Ky.,  reached  London  on  the  17th. 

During  the  night  of  the  16th,  when  25  miles  from  Loudon,  I 
learned  that  five  companies  of  the  3d  Tenn.  vols.,  Colonel  W.  S.  A., 
were  stationed  there.  I  selected  500  hundred  men  from  the  command, 
and  made  a  forced  march,  reaching  the  town  about  7  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  when  I  attacked  the  place,  and  after  a  brief  resistance  by 
the  enemy,  I  captured  it,  killing  13,  wounding  17,  and  taking  111 
prisoners.  My  loss  was  one  officer  and  one  private  killed,  none 
wounded. 

I  took  a  large  number  of  wagons  laden  with  quartermasters'  and 
commissary's  stores,  a  number  of  horses  and  mules,  and  several  hun- 
dred stand  of  arms,  all  of  which  I  have  forwarded  to  you. 

After  leaving  London,  I  employed  my  command  gathering  mules, 
horses  and  wagons -that  had  been  left  along  the  road  by  the  affrighted 
Federals,  from  London  to  Mt.  Yemon  and  Richmond.  The  evening 
of  the  22d,  learning  that  a  train  was  coming  (intended  for  the  Pass,) 
guarded  by  infantry  and  cavalry,  I  moved  my  command  to  meet  them. 
My  advance  came  upon  them  at  Big  Still,  17  miles  from  Richmond, 
where  the  fight  commenced,  and  resulted  as  stated  in  my  former 
report. 

After  driving  in  their  pickets  within  two  miles  of  Richmond,  the 
!  morning  of  the  24th,  and  gathering  up  all  the  trains,  horses  and 
I  mules,  I  fell  back  slowly  to  the  junction  of  the  Wild  Cat  and  Rich- 
mond roads,  which  I  reached  the  evening  of  the  25th. 

On  the  27th,  the  3d  Tennessee  cavalry,  Colonel  Starnes,  was  added 
ito  my  command,  and  I  moved  on  in  the  direction  of  Richmond.     • 

On  the  27th,  I  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy  with  my  whole 


553 

command,  and  finding  them  in  position  about  three  miles  from  Rich- 
mond, I  fell  back  four  miles,  to  the  infantry,  and  reported *to  General 
Cleburne,  Avho  was  in  command  of  the  advance  division. 

On  the  morning  of  .the  30th,  in  obedience  to  your  orders,  I  passed 
around  to  the  west  of  Richmond,  and  took  possession  of  the  roads 
leading  to  Lexington.  The  majority  of  my  forces  were  posted  on 
the  Lexington  road  and  one  company  on  the  Lancaster  road,  the  re- 
mainder between  the  two  roads.  About  4  o'clock,  stragglers  from  the 
battle-field  commenced  passing  into  my  lines,  and  gradually  increased 
in  numbers  until  6  o'clock,  when  the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  appa- 
rently about  5,0(10  strong,  with  9  pieces  of  artillery,  came  upon  us. 

My  forces  being  well  ambuscaded,  poured  a  destructive  fire  into 
their  ranks,  killing  about  60  and  wounding  a  large  number.  The 
firing  commenced,  in  obedience  to  my  orders,  on  the  extreme  left,  ex- 
tending to  the  right,  which  was  nearest  Richmond  ;  after  which,  almost 
the  entire  force  immediately  surrendered. 

Owing  to  the  smallness  of  ray  force  (about  85  D),  I  was  unable  to  still 
guard  the  roads  and  remove  all  the  prisoners  to  the  rear,  consequently 
a  large  number  escaped,  wandering  through  the  cornfields  and  wood- 
lands, it  being  now  too  dark  to  distinguish  them,  when  a  few  paces 
ahead  or  distant.  I  am  unable  to  state  the  number  of  prisoners  taken 
by  my  command,  owing  to  the  fact  that  they  were  captured  principally 
after  dark,  and  during  the  same  night  were  turned  over  to  General 
Preston  Smith,  in  obedience  to  your  orders,  but  am  confident  they 
could  not  fall  short  of  3,500.  I  captured,  also,  nine  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, a  large  number  of  small  arms,  and  wagons  loaded  with  army 
supplies. 

Among  the  prisoners  captured,  was  Brigadier  General  Manson  and 
a  number  of  field  and  staif  ofiicers. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3 1st,  I  moved  to  the  Kentucky  river  and 
drove  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  from  the  opposite  bank. 

On  the' 1st  September,  I  moved  on  and  camped  near  Lexington, 
and  on  the  2d,  moved  around  Lexington  and  camped  near  Georgetown, 
and  the  3d  ultimo,  we  moved  on  to  Frankfort  and  hoisted  the  battle 
flag  of  the  1st  "  Louisiana"  cavalry,  in  default  of  a  Confederate 
flag,  on  the  Capitol  of  the  State,  while  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy, 
about  8,000  strong,  were  quiet  spectators  from  the  opposite  hills. 
The  same  evening,  I  detailed  all  my  command,  with  horses  in  condi- 
tion to  travel,  (1,450  in  number),  to  pursue  the  enemy  and  harrass 
his  rear.  The  next  morning,  September  4th,  they  came  upon  the 
enemy  about  sunrise,  near  Shclbyvillc,  and  drove  them  into  and 
through  the  town,  and  then  crossed  over  to  the  railroad  and  destroyed 
the  bridges,  in  obedience  to  your  orders,  and  returned  to  camp  near 
Frankfort.  The  6th  and  7th,  remained  in  camp  near  Frankfort.  My 
loss  since  leaving  Kingston,  is  one  officer  and  six  privates  killed,  21 
wounded  and  9  taken  prisoners. 

Since  reaching  London,  I  have  captured  four  thousand  prisoners, 
(including  those  turned  over  to  General  Smith  and  those  paroled  by 
me),  about  375  wagons,  mostly  laden  witli  provisions  and  army  stores, 
near  1,500  mules  and  a  large  number  of  horses.     It  has  been  impos- 


554 

sible  to  keep  an  account  of  the  v  agons   re-captured  by  my  command, 
owing  to  the  rapidity  of  my  movemen-s. 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  bearing  testimony  to  the  soldierly 
conduct  of  my  command.  They  have  endured  unusual  privations  and 
fatigues  without  murmur.  I  cannot  compliment  the  commanders  of 
the  brigades  too  highly  for  the  assistance  rendered  me.  I  Avould  men- 
tion, that  the  first  1U6  miles  of  our  march  over  a  rough  and  barren 
country,  was  made  in  43  hours,  having  been  delayed  one  day  on  ac- 
count of  getting  our  horses  shod. 

The  statement  of  the  property  captured  at  Frankfort,  was  handed 
in  to  your  headquarters  by  me,  in  person,  on  Saturdiiy  last. 

My  forces  have  been  materially  reduced  by  the  numerous  details 
which  I  found  it  necessary  to  make,  in  Order  to  remove  wagons  and 
stock  to  the  rear,  and  I  shall  use  my  utmost  endeavors  to  concentrate 
my  command  at  as  early  a  day  as  possible. 

Hoping  that  the  results  achieved  by  the  *'  Kirby  Smith  brigade  " 
may  prove  satisfactory  to  you,  general.    ■ 

I  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

J.  S.  SCOTT, 
Colonel  commanding  brigade. 


[  The  following  reports  having  bsen  inadvertently  omitted  in  their 
regular  order,  and  being  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  operations  on 
the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee  rivers,  are  therefore  inserted  as  a  sup- 
plement. ] 


COLONEL  HEIMAN'S  LETTER,  ENCLOSING  RErORT  IN 
REGARD  TO  BOMBARDMENT  AND  SURRENDER  OF 
FORT  HENRY. 


Riciimo:d,  August  11,  1862. 
Adjutant  General  Cooper  : 

Sir  :  Enclosed  herewith  please  find  my  report  in  regard  to  bom- 
bardment and  surrender  of  Fort  Henry. 

I  prepared  this  report  at  Fort  Donelson,  immediately  after  the  fall 
of  Fort  Henry,  but  my  imprisonment  after  the  surrender  of  the  troops 
at  Fort  Donelson,  prevented  me  from  forwarding  it  to  the  proper  au- 
thorities before  now.  I  have  now  the  honor  to  submit  it  to  you  with 
my  high  regards. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  A.  HEIMAN, 

Colonel  lli//i  Tennessee  Regiment. 


COLONEL  HEDIAN^S  REPOR-T. 


Fort  Donelson,  ) 

February  8,  1862.  J 
Colonel  W.  W.  Mack.vll,     • 

Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

In  tlie  absence  of  General  Tilgliman,  who  is  a  prisoner  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  being  next  in  command  of  his  di\dsion,  it  becomes  my 
duty,  and  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  the  following  report  in 
regard  to  the  bombardment  and  surrender  of  Fort  Henry,  and  the 
subsequent  retreat  of  its  garrison  to  Fort  Donelson. 

The  armamgnt  of  the  fort  consisted  of  ten  32-poundcrs,  two 
42-pounders,  two  12-pounders,  one  24 -pounder  rifle  gun,  and  one  10- 
inch  columbiad.  The  garrison  consisted  of  my  regiment,  (10th  Ten- 
nessee,) under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  McGavock ;  the  4th 
Mississippi,  Colonel  Drake  ;  two  coiu  inies  of  the  3d  Alabama  bat- 
talion, Major  Garrin;  a  company  of  artillery,  commanded  by  Captain 
Taylor;  one  company  of  Forrest's  cavalry,  Captain  IMihicr,  and  forty 
mounted  men,  acting  Captain  Melton,  stationed  as  picket  and  rocket 
guard,  at  Bailey's  landing,  three  miles  below  the  fort ;  Captain  Cul- 
bertson's  light  battery,  (four  six-pounders  and  one  six-pounder  rifle- 
gun,)  amounting  in  all  to  an  aggregate  of  1,885  men. 

The  heights  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  vrith  the  unfinished 
works  of  Fort  Ileiman,  were  occupied  by  the  27tli  Alabama  regiment. 
Colonel  Hughes;  the  loth  Arkansas,  Colonel  Gee  ;  two  companies  of 
Alabama  cavalry,  commanded  by  Captains  Hubbard  and  Houston,  and 
an  unorganized  company  of  forty  men,  Kentucky  cavalry.  Captain 
Padgett,  and  a  section  of  a  light  battery,  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Hankinicz,  amounting  in  all  to  1,100  men. 

At  Paris  landing,  five  miles  above  the  fort,  the  4Sth  Tennessee, 
Colonel  Voorhies,  and  the  51st  Tennessee,  Colonel  Browder,  were 
stationed.  These  were  skeleton  regiments,  containing,  together,  not 
more  than  four  hundred  men. 

"With  the  exception  of  the  10th  Tennessee  and  the  4th  Mississippi, 
these  were  all  new  troops,  Avho  had  just  entered  the  service.  ■  They 
wei;e  not  drilled,  were  badly  equipped,  and  very  indifferently  armed, 
with  shot  guns  and  Tennessee  rifles.     None  of  the  cavalry  had  either 


557 

sabres  or  pistols,  and  were  only  partly  armed,  with  double-barreled 
shot  guns  ;  no  other  equipments  ■whatever.  There  was  much  sick- 
ness among  the  new  troops,  so  that  the  forces  for  the  defence  of  Fort 
Henry  and  Fort  Ileimau  did  not  amount  to  more  than  2,600  effective 
men.  There  were  also  at  Fort  Henry  the  steamers  Dunbar,  Captain 
Fowler ;  Lynn  Boyd,  Captain  Smedley ;  Applcton  Belle,  Captain 
Heffernan,  (regular  jacket  from  the  fort  to  Danville,)  the  Samuel 
Orr  and  the  Patton.     The  latter  two  boats  were  used  for  hospitals. 

General  Tilghraan's  division  headquarters  being  at  Fort  Donelson, 
where  he  was  untiring  in  his  exertions  to  complete  the  defences  of 
that  post,  Fort  Henry,  during  his  absence,  was  under  my  command. 
On  the  morning  of  the  4th  instant,  at  half-past  four  o'clock,  the  sen- 
tinel at  our  three-gun  battery  announc.ed  a  rocket  signal  from  the 
picket  at  Bailey's  landing,  which  Avas  immediately  answered  by  a 
rocket  from  the  fort,  when  three  more  rockets  went  up  from  the 
picket,  announcing  the  approach  of  three  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats. 
The  eleven  guns  bearing  on  the  river  were  immediately  manned  and 
shotted,  and  everything  held  in  readiness  for  an  attack.  The  steam- 
ers were  all  moved  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats,,  and  the 
Dunbar  and  Boyd  were  dispatched  to  Paris  landing  for  the  two  regi- 
ments stationed  there.  I  sent  a  courier  to  General  Tilghman  at  Fort 
Donelson,  informing  him  of  these  facts.  Shortly  after  day-light  tho 
pickets  on  both  sides  of  the  river  reported  a  large  fleet  coming  up, 
and  the  smoke  from  several  gun-boats  now  became  visible  over  the 
Island.  I  directed  Captain  Ellis,  of  the  10th,  with  a  small  escort  of 
mounted  men,  to  proceed  down  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and 
Captain  Anderson,  of  the  same  regiment,  on  the  opposite  bank,  to 
reconnoitre  and  ascertain  whether  the  enemy  was  landing  troops.  I 
directed  Captain  Milner,  with  his  company  of  cavalry,  to  occupy  the 
several  roads  leading  from  Bailej^'s  landing  to  the  fort,-  and  throw  for- 
ward a  sufficient  number  of  pickets  and  videttes.  I  directed  Col.  Drake 
to  send  two  companies  of  his  regiment  and  a  section  of  Culbertson's  bat- 
tery to  the  rifle  pits,  for  the  defence  of  the  Dover  road,  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  fort,  while  Major  Garvin  occupied  the 
rifle  pits  across  the  road,  leading  to  Bailey's  landing.  Twelve  torpe- 
does were  sunk  in  the  chute  of  the  river  at  the  foot  of  the  Island. 
For  want  of  powder  and  time,  none  were  sunk  in  the  main  channel. 
Those  sunk  v,-ere  rendered  utterly  useless  by  the  heavy  rise  in  the 
river.  At  about  nine  o'clock  the  gun-boats  commenced  throwing 
shells  at  the  quarters  of  our  pickets  and  other  buildings  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Bailey's  landing. 

Captain  Ellis  returned,  reporting  eight  gun-boats  and  ten  large 
transports  in  the  riv.r,  and  that  they  werfc  landing  their  cavalry.  He 
also  stated  that  he  had  seen  two  light  batteries  or  barges,  but  that  no 
troops  were  at  that  time  landing  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  I 
again  sent  a  courier  to  General  Tilghman,  informing  him  of  these 
facts.  During  all  this  time  he  had  a  lurge  force  at  work  on  the 
cpaulments,  an<l  trying  to  keep  the  water  out  of  the  fort.  The  lower 
magazine  had  already  two  feet  of  water  in  it,  and  the  ammunition  had 
been  removed  to  a  temporary  magazine  above  ground,  wliicli  had  but 


558 

very  little  protection,  but  we  had  been  at  work  day  and  night  for  the 
last  week,  to  cover  it  with  sand  bags  and  to  protect  it  by  a  traverse. 
x\t  about  12  o'clock,  five  gun-boats  came  in  sight  in  the  main  channel. 
All  the  troops,  except  the  heavy  artillery  force,  were  marched  out  of 
range  of  the  enemy's  guns.  The  gun-boats  formed  in  line  of  battle 
across  the  channel,  about  two  miles  below  the  fort,  beyond  the  range 
of  our  32-pGunders.  I  gave  positive  orders  that  none  of  these  guns 
should  be  fired,  unless  the  boats  came  within  their  range,  therefore, 
we  had  only  to  depend  on  the  24-pounder  rifle-gun,  and  the  10-inch 
columbiad,  the  latter  gun  with  an  iron  carriage  on  an  iron  chassie, 
had  on  previous  trials  of  firing  with  twenty  pound  charges,  proved- 
defective,  owing  to  the  too  great  recoil  for  the  length  of  the  chassie, 
or  other  defects.  This  Avas,  'however,  remedied  by  clamping  the  car- 
riage to  the  chassie,  and  even  then  it  recoiled  with  such  tremendous 
force  against  the  hurters,  that  in  almost  every  instance  it  disarranged 
the  pintle.  I  have  since  learned  that  this  defect  was  common  to  these 
guns. 

At  about  one  o^clock,  the  gun-boats  opened  fire  with  -shell  and 
shot,  which  was  immediately  returned  by  our  rifled  gun,  and  10-inch 
columbiad.  The  former  fired  archer  shells.  At  the  third  or  fourth  fire 
one  of  the  clamps  of  the  columbiad  broke,  and  fearing  that  another 
fire  would  upset  the  gun,  it  was  not  fired  again.  The  rifled  gun  was 
fired  in  quick  succession,  and  with  good  effect  ;  meanwhile  the  gun- 
boats kept  up  a  constant  fire  with  good  practice.  As  the  boats  ad- 
vanced, we  opened  fire  with  the  eleven  guns  bearing  on  the  river, 
which  was  kept  up  for  about  half  an  hour,  when  the  enemy  withdrew. 
Their  shot  fell  in  and  around  the  fort.  Some  of  their  shells  fell  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  beyond  the  fort,'  showing  a  range  superior  to  our  own. 
None  of  the  shells  which  fell  in  the  fort  exploded,  and  but  one  man 
was  wounded,  I  reported  the  result  to  General  Tilghman,  and  that 
the  enemy  was  landing  a  large  force,  and  that  additional  transports 
were  arriving.  I  was  satisfied  that  we  could  not  hold  the  heights  op- 
posite the  fort,  and  that  it  would  be  prudent  to  move  the  forces  from 
there  to  Fort  Henry,  but  did  not  like  to  take  the  responsibility,  with- 
out the  order  of  General  Tilghman,  as  a  previous  order  from  you,  sta- 
ted positively  that  these  heights  must  be  held.  However,  these 
troops  were  held  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moments  warning. 
At  five  o'clock  I  sent  another  courier  with  an  escort  to  the 
General,  stating  my  views  in  regard  to  the  troops  at  Fort  Hei- 
man,  and  requesting  his  orders  *' or  what  I  desired  more,  his  pres- 
ence," and  cautioned  him  not  to  come  vrithput  a  strong  escort,  and  by 
the  upper  road,  believing  that  the  enemy  had  already  cavalry  pickets 
on  the  main  Dover  road.  Before  night  I  reinforced  the  outposts  on 
the  Dover  road  with  two  companies  of  the  10th  Tennessee,  under 
Captains  Morgan  and  Ford,  and  the  6-pounder  rifled  gun.  At  half 
past  eleven,  General  Tilghman  and  Major  Gilmer's  corps  of  engineers, 
arrived  with  three  companies  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gantt's  cavalry, 
from  Fort  Donelson.  At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  General 
Tilghman  directed  the  removal  of  the  troops  from  Fort  Heiman  to 
Fort  Henry,  with  the  exception  of  the   cavalry.     General   Tilghman 


559 

now  formed  the  troop3  at  the  fort  into  two  brigades.  The  first  com- 
manded by  myself,  consisting  of  the  lOth  Tennessee,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  INIcGavock,  48th  Tennessee,  Colonel  Browder,  51st  Tennessee, 
Colonel  Voorhies,  Colonel  Gantt's  battalion  of  cavalry,  and  Captain 
Culbertson's  light  battery.  The  second  brigade,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Drake,  consisted  of  the  4th  Mississippi.  Major  Adair,  27th 
Alabama,  Colonel  Hughes,  Alabama  battalion,  Major  Garvin,  Captains 
Milners  and  Melton's  cavalry,  and  section  of  light  battery.  Captain 
Clare.  He  appointed  Major  McComicc,  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 
and  Lieutenant  Thar,  aid-de-camp,  his  own  staff  having  remained  at 
Fort  Donelson.  General  Tilghman  assigned  each  brigade  its  position 
at  the  rifle-pits,  and  all  preparations  were  made  to  receive  the  enemy 
by  land  and  water. 

A  reconnoitering  party  of  cavalry  met  the  enemy,  and  in  a  skirmish 
one  man  of  Captain  Milner's  company  was  killed.  General  Tilghman 
then  ordered  out  a  battalion  of  the  lUth  Tennessee,  a  V,attalion  of  the 
4th  Mississippi,  and  Milner's  cavalry,  and  proceeded  in  person  witb 
them  to  the  scene  of  the  skirmish,  but  the  enemy-had  retireil. 

During  the  night.  Colonel  Milton  A.  Hayncs,  of  the  artillery,  ar- 
rived from  Fort  Donolson  to  give  his  aid  in  the  coming  engagement, 
and  brought  information  that  in  obedience  to  orders  from  General 
Tilghman,  Colonel  Head  would  send  two  regiments  to  Kirkraan's 
furnace  from  Fort  Donelson  next  morni*ng,  which  is  half  way  between 
the  forts,  to  act  as  a  reserve  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  6th,  heavy 
volumes  of  black  smoke  rose  over  the  island,  manifesting  that  the  fleet 
was  not  to  remain  idle  long;  and  judging  from  the  number  of  trans- 
.  ports  in  the  river,  they  must  have  landed  a  very  large  force  durin" 
the  two  days  and  nights,  and  as  it  was  afterwards  ascertained,  Gene- 
ral Grant  had  12,000  men  between  the  fort  and  Bailey's  landing,  and 
General  Smith  6,000  men  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  At  about 
10  O'clock  in  the  morning.  General  Tilghman  and  Major  Gilmer,  came 
in  a  small  boat  from  the  steamer  Dunbar,  which  was  laying  during  the 
night  at  Fort  Heiman,  and  prepare'd  for  the  engagement  on  hand. 
At  11  o'clock  tho  gun-boats  made  their  appearance  in  the  chute,  seven 
in  number,  and  formed  in  line  of  Battle  two  miles  from  the  fort.  Gen- 
eral Tilghman  ordered  the  troops  to  be  marched  out  of  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  None  were  permitted  to  remain  in  the  fort,  but  those 
on  duty  with  the  artillery,  who  were  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Taylor. 

General  Tilghman,  with  his  rtaff,  took  position  at  the  center  battery, 
lo  observe  the  movements  of  the  gun-boats,  and  dirc<'.t  the  firing  of 
our  batteries.  The  enemy  opened  fire  with  shot  and  shell,  which  was 
returned  by  our  lOjinch  columbiad  and  24  pounder  rifled  gun.  until 
they  came  in  range  of  the  lighter  guns,  when  the  whole  eleven  o-una 
bearing  on  the  river  opened  fire.  The  enemy's  practice  improved  as 
they  advanced.  The  tiring  on  both  sides  was  without  a  moment's  in- 
termission. Shot  after  shot  were  exchanged,  with  admirable  rapidity 
and  precision,  and  the  enemy's  shell  struck  and  explodctl  in  every 
direction.  Unfortunately,  our  most  reliable  gun,  the  24  pounder  rifle 
bursted,  wounding  all  the  men  who  served  it.     Shortly  afterwards 


560 

the  vent  of  the  lO-inch  columbiad  closed,  and  could  not  be  opened. 
Our  reliance  was  now  on  the  32  and  42  pounders,  and,  I  regret  to  state, 
for  the  latter  we  had  not  the  proper  ammunition  Shortly  aftcrwar<ls, 
a  premature  explosion  of  one  of  the  guns  killed  two  men.  By  this  time 
we  had  lost  the  use  of  five  guns,  but  a  constant  fire  was  kept  up  on 
both  sides,  the  gun-boats  ncaring  all  the  time ;  their  point  blank 
range  telling  fearfully  on  the  fort,  while  we  had  to  depress  our  guns 
and  change  our  range  after  every  shot.  This  unequal  fire  was  kept 
up  with  an  energy  which  does  great  credit  to  the  officers  and  men  at 
the  guns. 

This  fearful  cannonading  had  lasted  now  over  an  hour,  and  it  was 
evident  the  fort  could  not  hold  out  much  longer.  Major  Gilmer  called 
my  attention  to  the  state  of  affairs,  requesting  me  to  state  to  General 
Tilghman  that  it  was  useless  to  hold  out  longer;  to  keep  up  this  un- 
equal contest  would  cost  the  lives  of  many  more  without  any  possible 
advantage  to  the  result.  I  replied  to  Major  Gilmer  that  these  were 
my  views,  but  that  I  would  not  like  to  make  any  suggestions  to  the 
General;  that  he  must  be  his  own  judge  in  regard  to  this  affair. 
When  General  Tilgbu:an  was  shortly  after  reminded  of  the  state  of 
affairs,  he  would  not  entertain  the  idea  of  a  surrender,  stating  that  he  ha'd 
as  yet  lost  but  few  men,  and  enquired  the  reason  why  some  of  the  guns 
had  ceased  firing.  He  was  told  that  several  of  the  men  were  killed, 
many  w'ounded,  and  all  the  rest  exhausted,  and  that  we  had  no  men  to 
relieve  them.  The  General  threw  oft"  his  coat,  sprang  on  the  chn-ssie 
of  the  nearest  gun,  stating  that  he  would  work  it  himself,  ordering,  at 
the  same  time,  5'J  men  of  my  regiment  to  the  fort  to  assist  the  gunners. 
Seeing  nobody  whom  I  could  send  for  them,  I  started  myself,  the 
bombardment  still  going  on  unabated,  but,  before  I  could  reach  the 
command,  the  boats  were  so  close  to  the  fort  that  further  resistance 
was 'impossible.      The  flag  was  hauled  down,  and  the  firing  ceased. 

I  returned,  in  person,  immediately  to  the  fort  for  further  orders. 
Gen.  Tilghman  informed  me  that  he  had  surrendered,  believing  that  it 
was  his  duty  to  do  so,  as  every  military  man  would  see  the  impossibility 
of  holding  the  fort  against  such  fearful  odds,  and  stating  to  me  that  I 
was  not  included  in  the  surrender,  as  I  was  not  in  the  fort  at  the  time 
the  flag  was  struck,  and  directed  me  to  continue  the  retreat  according 
to  orders  to  Fort  Donelson,  by  the  upper  road,  having  gained  all  the 
time  necessary  for  a  safe  retreat.  Owing  to  bad  roads,  the  high  water 
.and  the  close  pursuit  of  the  enemy's  davalry,  I  found  it  a  physical 
impossibility  to  save  the  light  artillery. 

About  three  miles  from  the  fort  our  rear  was  attacked  by  the  ene- 
my's cavalry.  Their  fire  was  handsomely  returned  by  Colonel  Gee 
and  Major  Garrin.  Major  Lee,  of  the  15th  Arkjinsas,  and  Captain 
Leach  of  the  Alabama  battalion,  were  surrounded  and  made  prisoners. 
"VVc  sustained  no  other  loss, 

I  may  be  permitted  to  state  that  the  self-sacrificing  heroism  dis- 
played by  General  Tilghman  in  this  terrible  and  most  unequal  strug- 
gle, challenges  the  admiration  of  all  gallant  men,  and  entitles  him  to 
the  gratitude  of  the  whole  people  of  the  Confederate  States.  The 
tict,  skill  and  untiring  energy  which  characterized  his  whole  course, 


561 

while  in  command  of  the  defence  of  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland 
rivers,  proved  him  a  most  skillful  and  pillant  leader. 

During  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Henry,  General  Tilgliman  was 
ably  assisted  by  Major  Gilmer,  Colonel  Haynes.  Major  McComice, 
Captains  Miller  and  Ilaydon,  (Engineers),  Captain  Taylor,  Lieutenants 
Watts  and  Weller  and  Captain  G.  11.  G.  Jones,  and  the  men  under  their 
command,  deserve  particular  credit  for  the  eflfective  and  energetic 
manner  in  which  they  managed  their  guns. 

My  thanks  are  eminently  due  to  Colonel  Drake  and  the  regimental 
and  detachment  commanders,  for  the  able  and  orderly  manner  in 
which  they  conducted  th  ;ir  commands. 

The  events  which  followed  so  closely  upon  the  fall  of  Fort  Henrj' — 
the  surrender  ot  the  troops  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  my  own  imprison- 
ment (from  which  I  have  ju>t  been  released)  have  prevented  me  from 
forwarding  this  report  at  an  earlier  date. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  A.  IIEIMAN, 

Colonel,  commanding  \st  Brigade,  Tilghmaas  Division. 

36 


I^# 


ANSWER  OF  COLONEL  FORREST  TO  INTERROGATIONS 
PROPOUNDED  BY  THE  SPECIAL  COMMITTEE  OF  THE 
HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE  CONFEDER- 
ATE CONGRESS,  CHARGED  AVITH  THE  DUTY  OF  EN- 
QUIRING INTO  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  QUAR- 
TERMASTER AND  COMMISSARY  DEPARTMENT,  ABOUT 
THE  TIME  OF  THE  SURRENDER  OF  THE  CITY  OF 
NASHVILLE. 


Inierrogatory  \st. — I  -was  not  at  the  city  of  Nashville,  at  the  time 
of  its  surrender,  but  was  there  at  the  time  the  enemy  made  their 
entrance  into  that  part  of  the  city  known  as  Edgefield,  having  left 
Fort  Donelson,  -with  my  command,  on  the  morning  of  its  surrender, 
and  reached  Nn,shville,  on  Tuesday,  February  the  18th,  about  10 
o'clock,  A.  M.  I  remained  in  the  city  up  to  the  Sunday  evening  fol- 
lowing. 

Interrogatory  2d. — It  would  be  impossible  to  state  from  the  data 
before  me.  the  value  of  the  stores,  cither  in  the  Quartermaster  or 
Commissary  Departments.  Having  no  papers  then,  nor  any  previous 
knowledge  of  the  stores.  The  stores  in  the  quartermaster's  depari- 
ment,  consisted  of  all  stores  necessary  to  the  department — clothing 
especially,  in  large  amounts,  shoes,  harness,  etc.,  with  considerable 
unmanufactured  material.  The  commissary  stores,  were  :  meat,  Hour, 
sugar,  molasses,  and  coffee.  There  was  a  very  large  amount  of  meat 
in  store,  and  on  the  landing  at  my  arrival,  though  large  amounts  had 
already  been  carried  away  by  citizens. 

Interrogatory  3rf. — A  portion  of  these  stores  had  been  removed  be- 
fore the  surrender.  A  considerable  amount  of  meat  on  the  landincr,  I 
was  informed,  was  thrown  into  the  river  on  Sunday,  before  my  arrival, 
and  carried  off  by  the  citizens.  The  doors  of  the  commissary  depot 
were  thrown  open,  and  the  citizens  in  dense  crowds,  were  packing  and 
hauling  off  the  balance,  at  the  time  of  my  arrival,  on  Tuesday.  The 
quartermasters'  stores,  were  also  open,  and  the  citizens  were  invited 
to  come  and  help  themselves,  which  they  did  in  larger  crowds,  if  pos- 
sible, than  at  the  other  department. 

Interrogatories  4th  and  5th. — On  Tuesday  morning,  I  was  ordered  by 
General  Floyd,  io  take  command  of  the  city,  and  attempted  to  driye 


n 


564 


the  mob  from  the  doors  of  the  departments,  nrhich  mob  ^as  composed 
of  straggling  soldiers  and  citizens  of  all  grades.  The  mob  had  taken 
posset-sion  of  the  city  to  that  extent,  that  every  species  of  property 
was  unsafe.  Houses  were  closed,  carriages  and  wagons  were  conceal- 
ed to  prevent  the  mob  from  taking  possession  of  them.  Houses  were 
being  seized  everywhere.  1  had  to  call  out  my  cavalry,  and  after 
oveiy  other  means  failed,  ch;;rge  the  mol>,  before  I  could  get  itso 
dispersed  as  to  get  wagons  to  the  doors  of  the  departments,  to  load  up 
the  stores  for  transportation.  After  the  mob  was  partially  dispersed 
and  quiet  restored,  a  r.umber  of  citizens  farn:"shed  wagons  and  assisted 
in  loading  them.  I  was  busily  engaged  in  this  work  on  Friday,  Sat- 
urday and  Sunday.  I  transported  7iH)  large  boxes  of  clothing  to  the 
Nashville  and  Chattanooga  railroad  depot,  several  hundred  bales  osua- 
burgs  and  other  military  goods  fiom  the  quartermaster's  department, 
most,  if  not  all  the  shoes  having  been  seized  by  the  mob.  I  removed 
about  TOO  or  S'H)  wagon  loads  of  meat.  The  high  water  having  de- 
sti'oyed  the  bridges  so  as  to  stop  the  transportation  over  the  Nashville 
and  Ohattanoogi  railroad,  I  had  large  amounts  of  this  meat  taken  over 
the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  railroad.  By  examination  on  Sunday 
morning,  I  found  a  large  amount  of  fixed  ammunition,  in  the  shape  of 
cartridges,  and  ammunition  for  light  artillery,  in  the  magazine,  which, 
with  the  assistance  of  General  Harding,  I  conveyed  over  seven  miles 
on  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama  railroad,  in  wagons,  to  the  amount  of 
30  odd  Avagon  loads,  after  the  enemy  had  reached  the  river.  A  por- 
tion Avas  sent  on  to  Murfreesboro'  in  wagons.  The  quartermaster 
stores  Avhich  had  not  already  fallen  into  the  hands  of  tfie  mob,  were 
all  removed,  save  a  lot  of  rope,  loose  shoes,  and  a  large  number  of 
tents.  The  mob  had  already  possessed  themselves  of  a  large  amount 
of  these  stores.  A  large  quantity  of  meat  was  left  in  store,  and  on  the 
river  bank,  and  some  at  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  railroad  depot, 
on  account  of  the  break  in  the  railroad.  I  cannot  estimate  the  amount, 
as  several  store  houses  had  not  been  opened  up  to  the  time  of  my 
leaving  All  stores  left,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  except  forty 
pieces  of  light  artillery,  which  Avere  burned  and  spiked  by  order  of 
General  Floyd,  as  Avere  the  guns  at  Fort  Zollicolfer.  My  proposition  to 
remove  these  stores,  made  by  telegraph,  to  Murfreesboro',  had  the 
sanction   of  General   A.  S.  Johnston. 

Interrogatory  6th. — No  effort  Avas  made,  save  by  the  mob,  Avho  Avere 
endeavoring  to  possess  themselves  of  these  stores,  to  prevent  their 
removal,  and  a  very  large  amount  was  taken  off  before  I  Avas  placed  in 
command  of  the  city. 

Interrogatory  Kth. — It  Avas  (eight  days)  from  the  time  the  quartermas- 
ter left  the  city,  before  the  arrival  of  the  enemy — commissaries  and 
ot!ier  persons  connected  with  these  departments,  leaving  at  the  same 
time.  With  proper  diligence  on  their  part,  I  have  no  doubt  all  the 
public  stores  might  haA'^e  been  transported  to  places  of  safety. 

Interrogatory  8th. — Up  to  Saturday,  the  railroads  Avere  open,  and 
might  have  been  used  to  transport  these  stores.  Saturday  the  bridges 
of  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  railroad  gave  Avay.  Besides  these 
modes  of  conveyance,    a  large  number  of  Avagons   might  have  been 


66o 

obtained,  had  the  quiet  and  order  of  the  city  been  maintained,  and 
larjEje  additional  amounts  of  stores  might,  by  these  means,  have  been 
transported  to  phices  of  safety. 

Inttrrogatorus  9(h'i7id  I  I'M. — T  saw  no  officer  connected  with  the  quar- 
termaster or  commissary  departments,  except  Mr.  Patton,  who  left  on 
Friilay.  I  did  not,  at  any  time,  meet,  or  hear  of  Major  J.  K.  Steven- 
son in  the  city  <laring  my  slay  there. 

Interrosiatorirs  1  \t'i,  Mthand  \Sth. — From  my  personal  knowledge,  I 
can  say  nothing  of  the  manner  in  which  Major  Stevenson  left  the  city. 
Common  rumor,  and  many  reliable  citizens  informed  me,  that  ]MM.jor 
i?tevenson  left  by  a  special  train,  Sunday  evening,  February  the  iGth, 
taking  personal  baggage,  furniture,  carriage,  and  carriage  horses; 
the  train  ordered  by  himself,   as  President  of  the  railroad. 

Interrogatory  \4t/i. — All  the  means  of  transportation  were  actu-^lly 
necessary  for  the  transportation  of  Government  stores,  of  sick  and 
Avounded  soldiers — many  of  whom,  fell  into  the  hands  of  th'^  enemy 
for  want  of  it,  and  who  might  have  been  saved  by  the  proper  use  of 
the  means  at  hand.  The  necessity  for  these  means  of  transportation 
for  stores,  will  be  seen  by  the  above  answers  which  I  have  given.  I 
have  been  compelled  to  be  as  brief  as  possible,  in  making  the  above 
answers,  my  whole  time  being  engaged,  as  Ave  seem  to  be  upon  the 
eve  of  another  great  battle,  The  city  was  in  a  much  worse  condition 
than  I  can  convey  an  idea  of,  on  paper,  and  the  loss  of  public  stores 
must  be  estimated  by  millions  of  dollars.  The  panic  was  entirely  use- 
less, and  not  at  all  justified  by  the  circumstances.  General  Harding 
and  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  with  Mr.  Williams,  deserve  special  men- 
tion for  assistance  rendered  in  removing  the  public  propert\^  In  my 
judgment,  if  the  quartermaster  and  commissary  had  remained  at  their 
post,  and  worked  diligently,  with  the  means  at  their  command,  the  Go- 
vernment stores  might  all  have  been  saved  between  the  time  of  the  fall 
of  Fort  Donelson,  and  the  arrival  of  the  enemy  in  Nashville. 
Respectfully  submitted  by 

A.  B.  FORKEST, 
Colonel  commanding  Forrest's  Brigade  Cavalry. 


INDEX. 


PENSACOLA  NAVY  YARD  AND  FORTS: 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  S.  ^I.  Jones,  concerning  the  evacua- 
tion of,  --------3 

FORT  HENRY: 

Letter  of  Brijradier-Oeneral  Tilghtnan,  transmitting  report  of  bom- 
bardment of,               ------.  7 

Report  of  General  Tilt^hnian  of  bombardment  of,     -             -             -  8 

General  Tilalniian's  supplemental  report,       -             -             -             -  17 

List  of  commisssioned  oiiicers  surrendered  at,             -             -           •-  1'.) 

List  of  non-commissioned  officers  surrendered  at,     -             -             -  ]9 
Colonel  Iloiman's  letter  enclosing  report  in  regard  to  bombardment 

.of,        -             -             -             -             -             -             -             -            -  555 

Colonel  Heiman's  report  of  bombardment  of,            -            -            -  556 

FORT  DONELSON:- 

Brigadier-General  Floyd's  report  of  the  battle  of,    -             -             -  21 

{Supplemental  report  of  Brigadier-General  Floyd,     -             -             -  26 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  Pillow-  of  battlft  of,       -             -             -  33 

{Supplemental  report  of  General  Pillow,         -             -             -             -  42 

Colonel  Burch'.s  statement,     ------  60 

Colonel  Forrest's  statement,    ------  53 

Major  Henry's  statement,         ---..-  55 

Major  Hayne's  statement,         ------  57 

Hunter  Nicholson's  statement,             -----  59 

Response  of  General  Pillow  to  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,       -  62 

Original  report  of  General  $.  B.  Buckner,     -             ♦             -             -  60 

Ofiicial  report  of  operations  of  General  fS.  B.  Buckner's  division,  -  68 

''orrespondence  referred  to  in  General  Buckner's  report,    -             -  78 

Re])ort  of  Lieutenant-Colontd  J.  F.  Gilmer,  -             -             -             -  80 

Report  of  Colonel  J.  C.  Wharton,       -             -            -             .             .  88 

Report  of  Colonel  John  McCausland,              -            -            -            -  90 

Report  of  Colonel  W.  E.  Baldwin,       -----  92 

Summary  of  killed  and  wounded  in  Second  Brigade.             -             -  97 

Report  of  Co.lonel  John  M.  Lillard,    -            -            -                          -  98 

Report  of  Major  W.  M.  Brown,            -             -             -             -             -  100 

Report  of  Colonel  John  C.  Brown,    -----  107 

Report  of  Major  N.  F.  Cheairs,           -            ...             -            .  m 

Report  of  Colonel  Joseph  B.  Palmor,              ....  113 

Report  of  Colonel  Edward  C.  Cook,   -             -             -             -             -  118 

Report  of  Mnjor  W.  L.  Doss,  ..--,-  I2I 

List  of  casualties  in  the  Fourteenth  Mississippi  Regiment,    -             -  123 

Report  of  Colonel  Robert  Farquharson,          ...             -  125 

Report  of  Colonel  A,  Hciman.             .             -            .             .            -  127 

Report  of  lorty-socond  Teunesaee  Regiment.             •             -            -  132 

Report  of  Colonel  John  W.  Head.      -           .    .       -      .      .           -  133 


563 


FOi^T  DON'ELSOX—Continuod:  TAnz, 

Kcport  of  Colonel  Roger  W.  TIahson,              -             .            -             .  136 

Report  of  Colonel  John  Gregjr,  -  ...  -  139 
Summary  of  killed  and  v  ounded  in  Second  Division,  Central  Army 

of  Kentucky,               .,.---.  141 
Estimate  of  killed  and  wounded  in  General  Pillow's  commaud,  re- 
porting through  General  Buckner,  -             -             -             -             -  142 

NEW  MEXICO: 

Brigadier-General  W.  U.  Sibley's  report  of  the  operations  of  the 

army  in,          ..-_----  143 

dispatches  from  Captain  Tom  P.  Ochiltree,   -            -             -             -  151 

Colonel  Scurry's  report  of  the  battle  of  Glorietta,  -             -         .    -  153 

('olonel  Green's  report  of  the  battle  of  Valverde,    -            -             -  157 

Colonel  Scurry's  report  of  the  battle  of  Valverde,  -             -             -  162 

Major  K.  W.  Ragnett's  report  of  battle  of  Valverde,            -             -  106 

Report  of  Major  C.  S.  Pyron  of  battle  of  Valverde,              -             -  169 

Report  of  Captain  Powhatan  Jordan  uf  battle  of  Valverde,             -  170 

Report  of  Captain  T.  T.  Teel  of  battle  of  Valverde,              -            -  173 

COLUMBUS: 

Report  of  Major-General  Polk,  of  the  evacuation  of,            -            -  177 

SIIILOH : 

General  Beauregard's  report  of  the  battle  of,            -             -             -  179 

Special  orders  as  to  movements  of  troops,       -             .             -             -  188 

Killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  battle  of,       -             -             -             -  191 

List  of  Flags  captured  at  the  battle  of,  .  -  -  -  19lJ 
Field  return  of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi  before   and  after  the 

battle  of, -  193 

Letter  of  General  Braxton  Bragg,  transmitting  his  report  of  the 

battle  of, 194 

Report  of  General  Braxton  Bragg,     -            -             ...            -  195 

Field  returns  of  Second  Corps  of  Army  of  the  Mississippi,             -  2U3 

Report  of  Biigadier-tieneral  Withers,            _            -             -            -  2('4 

Report  of  Colonel  J.  C.  Loorais,  commanding  First  Brigade,           -  209 

Report  of  Colonel  D.  W.  Adams,        -----  2H 

Report  of  Colonel  Z.  C.  Dco^i,  commanding  First  Brigade,  -  -  213 
Report  of  Colonel  Ueas,  of  operations  of  Twenty-second  Alabama 

Regiment,       --------216 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  S.  W.  (/aycc,                 -            -            -  217 

Letter  of  Major  F.  Stewart  to  Colonel  Loomis,          -             ,             -  218 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Oolonel  J.  C.  Marrast,              -             -             -  219 

Report  of  Colonel  J.  C.  Loomis  of  23th  Alabama  Regiment,          -  222 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  D.  Chad  A-iclc,        -             -             .  224 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  James  R.  Chalmers,     -             -             -  227 

Report  of  Brigadir-Gencral  J.  K,  Jackson,               -             -            -  2'54 

Report  of  Colonel  John  C.  Moore,  in  action  of  April  6th,  -            -  2'W 

Report  of  Colonel  John  C.  Moore,  in  action  of  April  Hh,  -            -  242 

Special  report  of  Colonel  John  C.  Moore,       -             -             -             -  244 

Report  of  Colonel  Joseph  Wheeler,   -            -            -            -            -  246 

Report  of  Captain  Girardey,    ------  249 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  Ruggle^',            -             .            -            -  252 

Report  of  Colonel  Randall  Lee  Gibson,          -            -            -            -  256 

Report  of  Colonel  B.  L.  Hodge,           -            -            -            -            -  2  0 

Report  of  Colonel  James  T.  Fagan,     -----  264 

Report  of  Captain  K.  M.  Dubroca,      :-----  2t>7 

Report  of  Colonel  II.  W.  Allen,          -----  2^9 

Report  of  General  Patton  Anderson,              -             -             -             -  271 

Report  of  Colonel  VV.  A.  Stanley,       -            -            -            -            -  282 

Report  of  Colonel  S.  S,  Heard,             -----  284 

Report  of  Lientonant-Colonel  CJifikries  Jones,            -            -            -  285 

Kcport  of  Major  I.  H.  Olack,             -           -           .           •           -  387 


569 

SHILOIl — Continued  :  pagk. 

Report  of  Colonel  Aua;iistu.s  Rcichard,            _            -             _            -  201 

Report  of  Captain  W.'C.  Poole,                        .             -'           -             -  293 

Report  of  Captain  Hodgson,     ------  295 

Supplemental  report  of  Captain  Hods^son,      -             -             _             -  298 
Captain  Hodgson's  report,  referring  to  reports  of  9th  and   llth  in- 
stants,             -             -             -             -             -             -            -             -  299 

Report  of  Colonel  P.  Pond,  Jr.,           -             -            -             -             -  300 

Report  of  casnnlties  in  the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division,    -             -  304 

Report  of  Colonel  Alfred  i\Ionton,      -----  305 

Report  of  Colonel  E.  S.  Shorter,          -             -             -             -            -  308 

Report  of  Colonel  11.  F.  Looney,         -             -            -             -             -  309 

Report  of  Major  Daniel  (Jober.             _             .             -             _             -  311 

Report  of  Captain  ^^\  H.  Ketchum,     -             -            -             -            -  313 

Report  of  Colonel  Marshall  J.  Smith,               -             -             -             .  316 

Casualties  in  Alabama  Cavalry,            .             -             .             _             _  320 

Report  of  Captain  T.  F.  Jenkins,  First  Battalion  Alabama  Cavalry,  321 

Report  of  Captain  Tomlinson,              _             -             .             -             -  322 

Report  of  Cajjtain  Cox,             -             -                          .             -             -  323 

Report  of  Captain  Robins.        -_.-_.  325 

JACKSOXVrLLE: 

Colonel   Dilworth's  report  of  the  evaouation  of,       -             -             -  327 

List  of  prisoners  captured  in  this  department,            _             -             -  328 

List  of  p'isoners  captured  on  the  llth  of  April,  -  -  -  329 
Letter  of  Colonel  Dilworth  enclosing  report  of  Colonel  Davis  and 

order  of  Brigadier-CJeneral  Trapier,             -             -             _             -  330 

Order  of  Greneral  Trapier  to  Colonel  l)avis,  -  -  _  -  33] 
Letter  of  Colonel  Davis,  First  Cavalry,  in  regard  to   the   condition 

of  horses,  etc.,            --'-....  332 

Report  of  Colonel  W.  G.  M.  Davis,     -             -             -            '.             .  .334 

Report  of  A.  A.  A.  (ieneral,  E.  E.   Whitner,              -             -             -  335 

NEW    ORLEANS: 

Letter  of  Major-CJeneral  Lovell,  transntittiiig  reports  in  relation  to 

the  bombardment  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Piiilip,  and  the  fall 

of,        -             -             -             -            -             -            -             -            -  337 

Report  of  Major-Gencral  Lovell  of  events  attendant  upon   the  fall 

of,       -            - 338 

Report  of  Brigadier-fJeneral  Duncan  of  the  bombardment  of  Forts 

Jackson  and  St.  Philip,          --..__  343 
Report  of  Colonel  Edward  Higgins  of  the  bombardment  of  Fort 

Jackson,         -            -            -            -            --            -            -  380 

Supplemental  report  of  Colonel  Iliggins,  -  -  _  -  383 
Report  of  Captain  T.  M.  S(iuires   of  the  bombardment  of  Fort  St. 

Philip, 384 

List  of  killed  and  wounded  during  the  eight  days  bombardment  of 

Fort  Jackson,             -------  387 

List  of  killed  and  wounded  in  Fort  St.  Philip,  -  -  .  389 
Brigadier-General  M.  L.  Smith's  report  of  operations  on  the  Chal- 

mette  aud  Mc<Jee  lines,         --__-_  390 

SOUTH   MILLS: 

Report  of  Major-General  Huger  of  the  att'air  at,      .              -              -  393 

TENNESSEE  RIVER: 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  Leadbcater  of  operations  on  the,  and 

of  the  affair  at  Bridgeport,  ------  397 

PRINCETON  : 

Brigadier-CJcncral  Humphrey  Marshall's  report  of  the  aflair  at.     -  ^401 

Articles  captured  from  the  enemy  at,             -             -             -             -  407 

List  of  prisoners  captured  at,              -             .             -             .             _  408 

Letters  found  in  General  Cox's  camp  at,        -             -             -  410 


o7<i 

CKUOKKIi   KIVEK:  p.u;k. 

Captain  Blocker's  rt-poii  of  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  on.    -  415 

(JORINTII: 

<!eneral  Beauregard's  report  of  the  evacaution  of,  -             -  417 
Northern  newspaper  correspondence  and  oflficial   telegraphic   dis- 
patches of  Generals  Ilalleck  and  Pope,  touching  the   evacuation 

of,       -             -            -             -             -             -            -             -             -  430 

Letter  of  (ieneral  Beauregard,  absent inghim.sclf  from  his  command,  435 

JAMES  ISLAxM): 

^I.jjor-CJencral  Peniberton's  report  of  the  engagement  on,-             -  437 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  N.  G.  Evans,     -             -             -            -  440 

Report  of  Colonel  Lamar,         ______  443 

Report  of      ajor  David  Ramsey,          -             -             -             -             -  448 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  I).  Smith,    -             -            -             -  450 

Report  of  Colonel  Johnson  Hagood,  -----  451 

Report  of  Colonel  C.  W.  Stevens,        -----  453 

Lift  of  casualties  in  24th  Regiment  South  Carolina  Volunteers,       -  455 

Report  of  Lieiitenant-Colonel  Charles  H.  Simonton,              -             -  456 

Casualties  in  Eutaw  Regiment,             _             -             _             -             -  457 

Report  of  Lieutenant  R.  A.  Blum,       -----  458 

Report  of  Captain  J.  E.  Adger,            -----  459 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  E.  McEnery,             -            -             -  460 

Report  of  Colonel  S.  1).  Goodlett,       -             -             -             -            -  403 

Letter  of  Brigadier-Cxeneral  Isaac  L  Stevens,  commanding  Federal 

forces,  -  -  _  _  _  _  -  464 
Repl}'  of   Brigadier-* ieneral    N.   G.    Evans  to   letter  of     General 

Stevens,          --__-__-  465 

List  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  engagement  on,  -  466 
Names  of  individuals  reported  by  ccvpimanders  as  distinguished  for 

gallant  conduct  in  the  engagement  on,         -             -             _             -  472 

KENTUCKY: 

Report  of  Brigadier-General  Morgan  of  the  expedition  into.           -  475 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  B.  W.  Duke,  -             -             -             -  480 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  F.  M.  Nix,        _             _            -             -  482 

Report  of  Major  R.  M.  Gano,  ------  484 

Report  of  lieutenant  Harris,  ------  488 

(reorge  Ellsworth's  dispatches.            -     ^       -             -             -            -  489 

i'E N INSULA  : 

^Lljor-General  -Magruder's  report  of  the  operations  on  the.  -             -  501 

Report  of  iirigadier-General  McLaws,            -             -             _             _  509 

Report  of  Colonel  Wm.  M.  Levy.        -----  511 

Report  of  ('olonel  Goode  Bryan,         _             -             _             _            -  513 

Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ihue,    -----  514 

Report  of  Colonel  H.  C.  Cabell,           -             -             -             -             -  517 

Report  of  Captain  M.  Stanley,              -----  521 

J»INCKNEY  ISLAND: 

1  etter  of  IMajor-General  J.  C.  Pemberton, enclosing  reports  of  Col- 
onel W.  S.  Walker  and  Captain  Stephen    Elliot,  in  reference  to 

the  expedition  to,      -             -             -             -             -            -             -  523 

Report  of  <  olonel  \Y.  S.  Walker,        -----  524 

Report  of  Captain  Steplien  Elliott,      -             -    .         -             -             -  526 

List  of  prisoners  at  McPhersonville,  S.  C,     -            -            -          .  -  528 

List  of  prisoners  at  ILardeeville,  S.  C.,            -             -            -             -  528 

Casualties,          -             -             -            -             -             --             -  530 

Order  of  General  D.  Hunter  of  Federal  army,           .             _             _  531 

GALLATIN: 

Report  of  Colonel  J.  H.  Morgan  of  the  affainaear,  -            -            -  533 

Proclamation  of  General  Morgan,      -            -             -            -            -  536 


571 

P.RIDGEI'OKT  AND   HATTLE  CREEK:  i-age. 

Report  of  Bripadior-Qcneral  S.  B.  Maxcy,  of  operations  of   the 

Army  at,         -------  -       539 

lUCUMOND,  KY.: 

Report  of  General  E.   Kirby  Smith   of  the  cn<>;a^cinent   with   the 

enemy  near,  -----_._  543 

Detailed  report  of  General  Smith.      .  _  _  .  .  545 

ileport  of  Brigadier-General  Chuchill,  _  .  .  .  548 

Report  of  Colonel  E.  McNair,  ---.-._  551 

Report  of  Colonel  J.  S.  Scott,  .  .  .  _  _  552 

^■ASHVILLE: 

Answers  of  Colonel  Forrest,  to  interrogations  propounded  by  Con- 
gressional Committee,  in  regard  to  the  management  of  the  quar- 
termaster  and  commissary  departments  about  the  time  of  thf 
Kurrou<U'r  of,  -._._._       QCtP, 


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